Applebee's Launches New Breadsticks and Neighborhood Pastas

In a move that sounds like it's aimed at Olive Garden, Applebee's offers up new Signature Breadsticks along with new Neighborhood Pastas.

The new breadsticks come brushed with butter, garlic, and parsley. They are included with each pasta order. Unlike at Olive Garden, the breadsticks are not of the all-you-can-eat variety.

New, limited-time Neighborhood Pasta menu starts at $11.99 and include the following dishes:

- New Chef Bulgarelli's Stuffed Rigatoni and Tomato Meat Sauce - Ricotta and Romano cheese-stuffed rigatoni in a tomato-basil ground beef sauce with bruschetta tomatoes. The plate is then topped with Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and baked and finished with a sprinkle of parsley. Chef Stephen Bulgarelli's is Applebee's vice president and chief culinary officer.

- New Creamy Penne Pasta with Sliced Prime Rib - Penne pasta and thin-sliced prime rib tossed in a Parmesan cream mushroom sauce with sun-dried tomato. It comes garnished with shaved Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.

- New Cajun Pasta with Blackened Chicken (or Shrimp) - Penne pasta, roasted poblano peppers, red bell peppers and sautéed mushrooms in Creamy Cajun sauce. It arrives topped with your choice of blackened chicken or shrimp plus a sprinkle of parsley.

- Classic Broccoli Chicken Alfredo (regular menu dish) - Grilled chicken served served over fettuccine pasta, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese. You can also get it with shrimp.

Photo via Applebee's.