Love Your Neighbor Casserole // Creamy Chicken Mushroom Pasta Bake ❤️

heavy cream

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: milk + cornstarch

Greek yogurt reduces calories while maintaining creaminess

cheddar cheese

🥗Healthier: reduced-fat cheddar

💰Cheaper: colby cheese

Colby cheese is often more affordable while still melting well.

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: chicken thighs

💰Cheaper: canned chicken

Canned chicken is a budget-friendly option that works well in bakes.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated pecorino

Pecorino is often less expensive and has a similar flavor.

Cut 1.5 lbs of chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.

Sprinkle seasoned salt and lemon pepper generously over the chicken, ensuring it's well coated.

Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add 1.5 tablespoons of olive oil.

Add the chicken to the skillet without overlapping, and cook until golden, flipping after a couple of minutes.

Check the chicken for doneness by cutting it in half; set aside when cooked through.

In the same skillet, melt 1.5 tablespoons of butter over medium heat and add 8 oz of sliced baby bella mushrooms.

Sprinkle a little salt over the mushrooms and cook for about 2 minutes before flipping them.

Continue cooking the mushrooms for 5-6 minutes until they release their liquid and there's hardly any liquid left in the skillet; remove from heat.

In the same skillet, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium-low heat and add 3 minced garlic cloves; cook for about 1 minute.

Add 6 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, whisking continuously until it becomes doughy and golden.

Gradually add 4 cups of whole milk while whisking non-stop to avoid lumps, then add 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder, 0.5 teaspoon onion powder, and 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg.

Cook the sauce until it thickens slightly, tasting and adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper.

Boil water in a separate pot, add salt, and cook 1 lb of Kavatapi pasta according to package directions.

Once the pasta is cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to prevent sticking; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, 1 cup diced red bell pepper, 0.5 cup chopped green onions, 0.5 cup green bell pepper, 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, and 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese.

Add 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the prepared sauce, mixing well; if the sauce is too thick, add a ladle of chicken broth.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and prepare for baking.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens