Apologies grbflyer, I just saw this post.

No, the penne rustica recipe I've made is the true Macaroni Grill recipe. It's a recipe that feeds a lot of people but calls for 8 cups of heavy cream! I just can't do that to myself and family/friends so I use half & half or light cream. Not as rich as the MacGrill dish but nearly as good. Of course, pancetta makes everything taste good.

I made it as a side dish for Xmas one year, and my guests still talk about it. The biggest problem with this dish is you can't make it ahead of time; for best results, it needs to be served right out of the oven.

recipe is here: http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Rom...Rustica-114360