Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
#SimmeredInTradition

When cooler weather sets in, aren’t you tempted to pull out your favorite casserole recipes? If you’re needing some new ones – you’ve GOT to try this one! It’s gotten so chilly outside, I’m ready for some goody hearty eatin’!

I can throw this creamy chicken and broccoli pasta bake together, and sling in the oven for about 30 minutes. Just long enough to finally get to that load of laundry that’s been in the dryer for 2 days. Gahhh. You feelin’ me mommas?! Dinner is quality family time – so I like to get everything done while dinner is cooking so I can actually SIT and enjoy dinner with my family.

Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake Ingredients:

• 2-3 thin boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 8 oz. rotini pasta
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 1 cup cauliflower florets
• (2) 16 oz. jars of Ragu Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cheese Creations Sauce
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup italian breadcrumbs
• crumbled feta cheese

Instructions:

Boil pasta according to package directions.

In a separate pot, blanche the broccoli and cauliflower florets.

TIP:
An easy method that I use, is placing the florets in a colander and setting in the sink. Boil a medium pot of water, and pour boiling water over the florets in the colander. Either way you do it, this is an important step. If you don’t blanche them, they’re going to be crunchy inside your finished recipe and you don’t want that.

Drizzle and heat olive oil in a skillet, on medium high heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Place in skillet and cook till done. About 3 or 4 minutes per side. Take chicken out of skillet, and set to the side.

Drain pasta once done.

Cut chicken breasts into bite sized pieces.

In a large mixing bowl, combine: pasta, chicken, broccoli and cauliflower and (2) jars of Ragu Roasted Garlic Parmesan sauce.

Pour into a greased 2 qt. casserole dish and sprinkle the top with breadcrumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

To brown the breadcrumbs on top, turn the broiler on for 1-2 minutes at the end of the baking time.

Sprinkle the top with crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese. Serve with garlic toast and enjoy!

Nothing is more of a crowd pleaser than a delicious pasta dish. A great pasta dish has to start with a really great sauce and Ragu is an authentic Italian sauce. They still use Assunta’s secret family recipe (since 1937!) so the taste, aroma and the texture are authentic. Set by traditional standards! Made with slow-simmering vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant herbs. No artificial flavors, colors or high fructose corn syrup.

Ready. Set. Cook!

Are you up for a challenge? Ready. Set. Cook! is challenging home cooks from all over to create new and unique recipes featuring a sponsored ingredient, plus a set list of other ingredients!

Recipe Contest Elements:

• Entry phase – 4 weeks from 11/2-11/30 (you can enter on Food.com/Rage page. Live on 11/2)
• Rate and review phase – 2 weeks
• Judging phase – 2 weeks
• People’s Choice Award

Ready. Set. Cook! Prizing

• Grand Prize $3,000
• Runner-up $1,250
• People’s Choice $750

Now, are you up for the challenge?! What fun recipe would you create?

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragu. The opinions and text are all mine.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ragu. The opinions and text are all mine.