Are you looking for a quick but satisfying family dinner idea? Try Catherine Fulvio’s chicken pasta bake. It has a secret ingredient the kids won’t know is in there — but it adds just enough extra flavour to make this bake something special.
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Catherine shares: “I ask my kids what they would like for dinner and the reply is ‘chicken pasta bake’ all the time, so I hope your family enjoys this recipe as much as mine. It’s so easy to whizz up, especially when everything is hectic.”
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Catherine Fulvio’s Chicken Pasta Bake
This recipe serves 4 hungry adults or 6 children.
Ingredients
- Extra virgin olive oil
- 400g / 14oz penne
- 3 chicken fillets, poached and roughly diced or shredded
- 120g / 4oz frozen peas
- 100g / 3.5oz tinned or frozen sweetcorn
- 5 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 4 tbsp grated parmesan
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- Secret ingredient: 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard, for a little extra zing — don’t tell the children!
#### For the sauce
- 75g / 2.5oz butter
- 75g / 2.5oz plain flour
- 1 litre / 2 pints milk
- 75g / 2.5oz grated mature white cheddar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/Gas 4/350°F. Grease a medium gratin or lasagne dish with a little olive oil.
2. Cook the penne according to the instructions on the packet. Once cooked, retain 100ml of the pasta cooking water and drain the pasta.
3. To make the sauce, combine the butter, flour and milk in a medium saucepan over a medium heat and bring to the boil, whisking all the time, to form a loose sauce. Stir in the cheese and add a little of the reserved pasta cooking liquid if the sauce is too thick. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Place the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, peas and sweetcorn in a large bowl. Pour over the sauce and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the gratin dish and sprinkle over the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and parsley. Bake for 20 minutes, until the top is golden.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this chicken pasta bake ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble the full bake up to the point of baking, cover and keep it in the fridge for up to a day. When you’re ready to serve, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if it’s going into the oven cold.
Can I freeze it?
This bake freezes well. Cool completely, then freeze in a covered dish or portioned containers for up to two months. Thaw fully in the fridge before reheating in the oven until piping hot throughout.
What can I use instead of Dijon mustard?
If you’d rather leave the secret ingredient out, the bake is still delicious without it. A milder wholegrain mustard also works if Dijon isn’t to your taste.
Can I swap the chicken for something else?
Cooked turkey works well as a straight swap. For a vegetarian version, try extra vegetables or a plant-based chicken alternative in place of the poached chicken.
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- 9 Simple Pasta Recipes for the Kids to Prepare in No Time
- Quick and Easy Family Dinner Ideas
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