Chicken Pasta Cheese Casserole

By LisaMK

This is a good solid recipe for the family.

Ingredients

• 4 skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 tbs herbes de provence
• salt and black pepper
• 1 tbs evoo
• 1 package ziti or penne pasta
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbs unsalted butter
• 3 tbs flour
• 2 tbs tomato paste
• 3 c 2% milk
• 8 oz cheddar shredded, 2 c
• salt and black pepper
• 2 c bread crumbs
• 2 oz parmesan cheese, shredded
• 3 tbs unsalted butter, melted

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut chicken into bite size pieces and place into a skillet with herbes de provence, salt, papper, and evoo over medium heat. Remove from chicken once no longer pink. Set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions while chicken is cooking.
In same skillet, cook onion, garlic, butter until tender. Stir in flour until well combined, then add in tomato paste and milk. Cook and stir until bubbly and thickened; reduce heat. Add cheddar cheese and stir until almost melted. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add sauce and chicken to cooked pasta in pot; stir to coat. Spoon mixture in 2 quart rectangular baking dish.
In a small bowl, spoon together bread crumbs,parmesan cheese and 3 tbs melted butter. Sprinkle crumb mixture over pasta mixture. Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 mins. or until crumb mixture is golden and edges are bubbly. Let stand 10 mins before serving.