It can be difficult to decide what to have for dinner, but as we get closer to the end of the week why not treat yourself to a hearty pasta dish that is incredibly easy to make?
Mary Berry’s chicken pasta bake is a cheesy dish packed with well-seasoned chicken in a creamy sauce with onions and tomatoes.
On the BBC website, Mary said: “A wonderfully comforting chicken pasta bake, this can be made ahead and will go down really well with the family.”
It is a very simple recipe and only takes a few minutes to prepare before it bakes in the oven for 20 minutes.
This is the perfect dinner to make for children, teenagers and adults as if the ultimate comfort food dinner that will be loved by everyone.
Method
To begin, preheat the oven to 220C (200C Fan or Gas 7) then butter your ovenproof dish.
Roughly chop up the onion and place it in a pot of boiling salted water along with the penne pasta. Cook the pasta following the packet instructions then drain, rinse with cold water and set aside for now.
Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips and place in a sandwich bag along with the paprika seasoning and some salt and pepper, then shake to coat.
Add one tablespoon of olive oil to a frying pan and quickly cook the chicken on high heat for two minutes until golden brown and just cooked through. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside for now.
To make the pasta sauce, melt the butter in the frying pan, add the flour and mix thoroughly for one minute on a high heat. Gradually add the hot milk and keep mixing until you have a smooth thick sauce.
Allow the sauce to boil for four minutes, then sit in the mustard, half the parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.
Add the pasta and onion to the sauce and stir everything together. Spoon the mixture into the oven dish, then scatter the remaining cheese and the tomato pieces on top.
Bake in the oven for roughly 20 minutes until the pasta bake is hot and crispy golden brown on top, then take out the oven and your mouthwatering dish is ready to serve.
