Creamy comfort food dinner (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
8 ounces penne pasta
02 -
2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
03 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
04 -
1 small onion, diced
05 -
4 cloves garlic, minced
06 -
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
07 -
2 cups whole milk
08 -
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
09 -
2 chicken breasts, cooked and cut into small cubes
→ Seasonings
10 -
1 teaspoon salt
11 -
1 teaspoon pepper
# Instructions:
01 -
Get a large pot of salted water boiling. Toss in the penne and cook it until al dente according to the package. When the pasta has about 5 minutes left, add the broccoli florets right into the same pot - this saves time and a pot!
02 -
Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander. Give it a little shake to get excess water off and set it aside while you make the sauce.
03 -
Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until it's soft and starting to become translucent. Toss in the minced garlic along with the salt and pepper, and cook for another minute until it's nice and fragrant.
04 -
Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Cook it for about 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly - this gets rid of the raw flour taste and creates the base for your creamy sauce.
05 -
Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Keep stirring until everything is smooth, then let it cook for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
06 -
Stir in the grated parmesan cheese until it's completely melted and the sauce is smooth and velvety. This is where the magic happens!
07 -
Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and diced chicken to the pot with your creamy parmesan sauce. Stir everything together until it's well coated and heated through, about 2-3 minutes.
08 -
Transfer your chicken and broccoli pasta to a serving bowl. If you want, sprinkle some extra parmesan on top. Give it a final taste and add more seasoning if needed, then serve it up while it's hot!
# Notes:
01 -
You can use rotisserie chicken to save time, or cook chicken breasts ahead of time.
02 -
For a time-saving tip, cook the broccoli along with the pasta in the same pot.
03 -
This dish is best served immediately while the sauce is creamy and fresh.