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Chicken Pasta Casserole

Easy chicken and pasta recipe the whole family will love.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Course: Main, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: casserole recipe, cheese sauce, chicken, easy pasta dinner, easy recipes
Servings: 6
Calories: 468kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 oz penne pasta uncooked
  • 1 onion roughly chopped
  • 3 skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips roughly the size of your little finger
  • 1 tbs smoky paprika
  • 2 tbs olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the sauce:

  • 3 tbs butter
  • 3 tbs flour
  • 3 cups hot milk see tip
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • oz Parmesan cheese coarsely grated
  • 2 large tomatoes deseeded and cut into small cubes

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Spray a 9 x9-inch baking dish/.
  • Cook the penne with the onion in boiling, salted water according to the packet instructions. Drain, refresh in cold water and leave to drain again in the colander.
  • Put the chicken strips in a resealable bag with the paprika and a little salt and pepper, seal the bag and shake to coat.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large frying pan and quickly fry the chicken over a high heat for about 2 minutes until golden-brown and just cooked through. If you have to fry in batches, use the additional tablespoon of oil. Remove from pan and set aside.
  • To make the sauce, melt the butter in a large saucepan, add the flour and whisk together to form a smooth paste (roux). Cook for 1 minute, then gradually add the hot milk, whisking over a high heat until the sauce is smooth and thickened, and allow to boil for 4 minutes. Stir in the mustard and half the cheese and season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the pasta and onion to the sauce in the pan and stir together. Spoon half this mixture into the dish, arrange the chicken strips over the top and spoon the remaining pasta and sauce on top of the chicken. Distribute the tomatoes evenly across the top and do the same with the remaining cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes until piping hot and golden-brown on top.

Notes

Adapted from Mary Berry
Tip: Using hot milk makes the sauce smoother and prevents lumps.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 75mg | Sodium: 449mg | Potassium: 620mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 1435IU | Vitamin C: 7.7mg | Calcium: 357mg | Iron: 1.4mg