This post is sponsored by BabbleBoxx.com on behalf of Bertolli®.
A creamy tomato sauce tops chewy farro and simply seasoned chicken in this easy dinner idea for Valentines’ Day. With jarred sauce as the base, this easy Rosa Sauce recipe comes together in just about 30 minutes!
This post was originally published on February 5, 2021, and has now been updated.
Why this recipe works
Rosa Sauce is Italian inspired and made from mixing two classic pasta night favorites, a tomato-based sauce, like Bertolli® Traditional Marinara Sauce, with a cream-based sauce like Bertolli Alfredo with Aged Parmesan Cheese Sauce.
The result is a creamy twist on the traditional red sauce that is full of flavor. And the pretty pink color makes it feel totally unique.
Farro is a great substitution for pasta as it adds a touch of nuttiness but has a similar texture. It keeps this dish feeling familiar but elevated at the same time, making it great for a date night dinner. It’s also delicious in my favorite Farro and Vegetable Salad.
Chicken is a staple in our home (see also Chicken Tacos and Chicken Eden Isle) and adding it makes this dish feel hearty and comforting. This dish is quick to make and tasty enough for the whole family to love.
The farro and jarred sauces are shelf-stable making this a great meal for busy weeknights! Bertolli is the only pasta sauce made the Tuscan way, which means it is made with just a few simple ingredients.
Ingredient Notes
Farro can be cooked in chicken, vegetable, and beef broth to give it more flavor. For this recipe, I prefer to cook it in plain water so that the flavors of the Rosa Sauce can really shine.
Red Pepper Flakes are a great way to add spice to this dish. But they are totally optional and you can skip them if you don’t like spicy foods.
Don’t want to cook the chicken? You can substitute store-bought rotisserie chicken, cook a whole chicken ahead of time to shred, or pre-cooked chicken that they sell at the store, usually in the refrigerated section.
You can use any jarred sauces however, only Bertolli is made the Tuscan way and it really shows. The simple ingredients create a beautiful flavor that really stands out.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- (Not pictured) Bring a pot of water to a boil then add the farro. Cook until tender, approximately 14 minutes. Drain. (Follow package instructions, timing may vary slightly based on what type of farro you buy). Then set aside.
2. In a large pan, saute the chicken in a tablespoon of olive oil. I added just a bit of salt and pepper so the flavors of the sauce could really stand out. You may need to cook your chicken in batches so you don’t crowd the pan.
Crowding the pan with too much chicken will cause the chicken to steam rather than get that nice golden color that brings out the flavor. I cooked my chicken in two batches, moving the first batch to a small bowl as I waited for the second batch to finish.
3. Add the farro and chicken back to the saute pan.
4. Top with Traditional Marinara and Alfredo sauces.
5. Return the pan to the stove to heat through. Mixing the sauces together creates the gorgeous pink color of the easiest Rosa Sauce ever.
6. Spoon the completed dish to a serving dish. Top with parmesan cheese, if desired.
Tips to make this perfect every time
- While the farro is pretty easy to cook, do not overcook it. You don’t want the texture to turn mushy.
- Modify the amounts of each type of sauce to find your favorite flavor ratio.
- To make it spicy, you can add 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes to the recipe instead of just as a condiment.
- While I used farro, you could easily use any type of pasta instead.
- Every element of this dish can be made ahead of time. Keep them. separate, in air-tight containers in the fridge until ready for serving. To serve, mix everything together and heat through.
Frequently asked questions
No. Rosa sauce is a combination of marinara and alfredo sauces. Vodka Sauce is made with vodka and a red sauce. Both are delicious but they use different ingredients.
Rosa Sauce is very versatile. It is delicious on top of pasta and grains like farro but can also top chicken and other meats. I served our dish with broccoli but it would be equally delicious with other vegetable side dishes like zucchini and asparagus as well.
Rosa Sauce should be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Pair this meal with your favorite Winc wine or a Moscow Mule and you’re meal is set.
Related recipes
- Truffle Honey Homemade Chicken Tenders
- Creamy Chicken Eden Isle with Dried Beef
- Goat Cheese Pizza with Sausage and Brussels Sprouts
- Creamy Rosa Caprese Gnocchi with Blistered Tomatoes
- Sausage, Peppers and Onions with Creamy Rosa Polenta
- Rosa Shrimp & Asparagus Spaghetti
Or check out this list of Date Night Dinner Ideas to Make at Home.
Rosa Sauce with Chicken and Farro
Ingredients
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil and then add the farro.
- Bring back to a boil and cook until tender, approximately 14 minutes. Drain. (Follow package instructions).
- Sautee the chicken pieces in a tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper.
- Depending on the size of your pan, you may want to cook the chicken in batches.
- Add the farro to the chicken in the saute pan.
- Top with one jar of marinara sauce and one jar of alfredo sauce. Then stir well.
- Return to the stove to heat the sauces through.
- Move to a serving dish then top with parmesan cheese, if desired.
- Top with crushed red pepper flakes to add some heat.
Notes
- Do not overcook the farro. You don’t want the texture to turn mushy.
- Modify the amounts of each type of sauce to find your favorite flavor ratio.
- To make it spicy, you can add 1/2 tsp of red pepper flakes to the recipe when adding the sauces.
- While I used farro, you could easily use any type of pasta instead.
- Every element of this dish can be made ahead of time. Keep them. separate, in air-tight containers in the fridge until ready for serving. To serve, mix everything together and heat through.
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