This chicken primavera pasta bake is full of fresh spring peas. asparagus, and spinach. With cavatappi pasta in a creamy cheese sauce, the casserole is topped with seasoned panko and Parmesan and bakes until bubbly and golden.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 1 pound asparagus
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 pounds skinless , boneless chicken breast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.75 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 0.25 cups butter
- 0.25 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 package cream cheese , 8 ounce
- 0.75 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups spinach
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 0.67 cups panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
-
1
Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish.
-
2
Bring a 4 to 6-quart Dutch oven filled with salted water to a boil, and cook pasta until tender with a bite, 9 to 11 minutes, adding peas and asparagus for the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain, reserving 2/3 cup of the pasta water. Hold pasta in the strainer; set Dutch oven aside to use for making the sauce.
-
3
Meanwhile, heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add chicken to hot oil. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken is golden and fully cooked, 5 to 7 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Remove from heat.
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4
For sauce, melt butter in the Dutch oven. Whisk in flour, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Whisk in milk, cream cheese, and chicken broth. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Whisk in reserved pasta water, 2/3 cup Parmesan cheese, basil, and oregano.
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5
Add pasta mixture to the Dutch oven with sauce; toss to coat. Stir in cooked chicken, spinach, and cherry tomatoes.
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6
Spoon mixture into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese and panko bread crumbs.
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7
Bake in the preheated oven until sauce is bubbly and topping is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Per serving
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