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Chicken-Vegetable Mac and Cheese

Chicken-Vegetable Mac and Cheese

Name: Chicken-Vegetable Mac and Cheese
Prep time: 45 min
Ingredients: 12 ounces dried penne pasta; 1 cup fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 cup broccoli florets; 2 tablespoons vegetable oil; 4 ounces button mushrooms, halved; ⅓ cup chopped red sweet pepper; 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces; 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning or other herb blend, crushed; ⅛ teaspoon salt; ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper; ¼ cup butter; ⅓ cup chopped onion (1 medium); 1 garlic, minced; ¼ cup all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons tomato paste; 4 ½ cups milk; 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or Swiss cheese (8 ounces); 6 ounces process American or Swiss cheese, torn (2 cups); Salt; Ground black pepper; 4 ounces purchased croutons (2 cups), coarsely crushed

47 Ratings

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Recipe Summary

prep:

45 mins

bake:

1 hr 15 mins at 350°

Servings:

Nutrition Info

Directions

Step 1

Cook pasta according to package directions, adding green beans and broccoli the last 2 minutes; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain again. Return pasta to pan.

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Step 1

Meanwhile, in a large skillet heat oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms, red peppers and chicken. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink and vegetables are tender. Add chicken to pasta in pan.
Step 1

For cheese sauce, in a large saucepan melt the 1/4 cup butter over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until tender. Stir in flour, then tomato paste. Gradually stir in milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly; reduce heat. Gradually stir in cheddar and American cheeses until nearly melted. Remove from heat; season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Add cheese sauce to pasta mixture, stirring to coat.
Step 1

Spoon pasta mixture into a 3 quart baking dish. Cover baking dish with plastic wrap, then with foil. Freeze for up to 4 months.

Step 2

To serve, thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove plastic wrap; recover with foil. Bake about 1 hour 15 minutes, or until heated through, stirring every 30 minutes. Top with crushed croutons.

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Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

579 calories, (14 g saturated fat, 4 g polyunsaturated fat, 7 g monounsaturated fat), 111 mg cholesterol, 890 mg sodium, 47 g carbohydrates, 3 g fiber, 10 g sugar, 44 g protein.