Cheesy Shells With Chicken

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 1/2 cups small shell pasta, uncooked
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 6 green onions, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh minced garlic (or to taste)
• 1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (or to taste)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 1 3/4 cups half-and-half cream
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/4 cups grated old cheddar cheese
• 1 teaspoon louisiana hot sauce (or to taste)
• salt and pepper
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken or 1 1/2 cups cooked turkey
• 2 cups crushed butter flavored crackers (optional)

Recipe

• 1 set oven to 350 degrees f.
• 2 butter a 2-quart casserole dish.
• 3 cook the shells in a pot of boiling salted water until just al dente (leave the shells slightly undercooked) drain and place in a large bowl, toss with a tablespoon of butter to prevent sticking.
• 4 in a large skillet melt 3 tablespoon butter; add in the green onions, bell pepper (if using) and basil, saute for about 7-8 minutes, adding in the garlic the last 2 minutes of cooking.
• 5 add in the flour and half and half cream, whisking constantly until the mixture is smooth.
• 6 add in cream cheese; cook over medium heat, whisking constantly for about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens.
• 7 add in shredded cheddar and hot sauce; stir until the cheese has melted, then season with salt and pepper.
• 8 pour the mixture into the bowl with the cooked shells, add in the cooked chicken; toss to combine.
• 9 transfer to prepared baking dish.
• 10 sprinkle with crushed crackers (if using).
• 11 bake for about 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.