Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 ounces cooked penne pasta
• salt and pepper
• 3 cups steamed broccoli (don't overcook the broccoli cook only until firm-soft)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 3 -4 garlic cloves, fresh minced or chopped (or more or less to suit taste)
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 1/2 cups good quality chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half cream or 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb chicken breast, cut in small pieces or strips (uncooked)
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees.
• 2 butter an 11 x 8-inch baking pan or a casserole dish.
• 3 in a large bowl, toss together the steamed broccoli and the cooked pasta.
• 4 in a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat the butter over medium heat.
• 5 add in the onion; cook for about 3 minutes, or until softened.
• 6 stir in the garlic and flour; cook for 1 minute.
• 7 stir in thyme, then slowly whisk in the chicken broth and the half and half cream (or milk); add in the bay leaf and the 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, bring to a medium boil, reduce heat; cook gently for 6-7 minutes, until mixture is thickened.
• 8 add in the chicken pieces; cook for 2-3 minutes, until chicken is barely cooked through.
• 9 remove from heat, season with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• 10 add the mixture to the bowl with the pasta/broccoli mixture, add in the chopped parsley; stir until mixed.
• 11 transfer to prepared greased baking dish or casserole dish.
• 12 dot with the cottage cheese.
• 13 sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese.
• 14 bake for 20 minutes, or until heated through, and the top is lightly browned.