Healthy Chicken Vegetable Casserole

Submitted by ElizabethKnicely

"Try this inexpensive and fresh version of chicken casserole--no need for processed soups or sauces!"

 

• Ready In: 45mins
• Ingredients: 13
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 340.19 g cooked chicken breasts, diced
• 29.58 ml all-purpose flour
• 29.58 ml unsalted butter
• 283.49 g skim milk
• 0.25 ml white pepper
• 4.92 ml italian seasoning
• 14.79 ml parmesan cheese, grated
• 198.44 g penne pasta, whole wheat
• 2 yellow bell peppers or 2 orange bell peppers, chopped
• 1 zucchini, chopped
• 340.19 g broccoli, chopped (approximately 2 heads)
• 78.78 ml monterey jack cheese
• nonstick cooking spray

directions

1. Prepare the white sauce by placing the butter in a small sauce pot that has been preheated over medium heat. Once the butter foams, add flour and stir for 1 minute; try not to let the mixture turn brown. Add milk to the mixture turn brown. Add milk to the mixture and continue to stir until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add pepper, Italian seasoning and Parmesan ceese to the sauce. Stir to combine. Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, preheat oven to 350°F During the last minute of pasta's cooking, add the chopped broccoli to the water. Allow to simmer for one minute.
2. Drain the pasta and broccoli. Spritz the bottom and sides of a 9x13 oven-proof casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, combine the pasta and broccoli with the chicken and chopped vegetables; cover with the sauce. Place in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the Monterey Jack cheese and cover with foil.
4. Bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and continue to bake until cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).

Reviews

[rnmommy02]

This is very good and from a skeptical and picky family - that is a rave review. I will say that I doubled the recipe and did not add the penne as my husband is avoiding pasta. For my teenagers, I made egg noodles and topped it with the chicken and vegetables. Thank you so much for sharing! I will definitely be making this again!