Baked Pasta

Whenever I run out of ideas on what to cook for dinner, baked pasta/rice will automatically come into the picture.

Remember last week when I was on a baking marathon and MIL called? Since DD1 & DS2 went over to BIL's place for lunch, I froze the chicken that I've steamed. Ransacked my supplies and yes, I've got all the necessary ingredients for baked pasta.

Similar to lasagna, I don't usually follow a recipe. I just cook whatever ingredients I have in my fridge. For tonight's dinner, I added onion, celery, shredded chicken and of course, loads of cheese. DH's not a fan of onion but in this dish, he can't tell that I've added onion to it. He's not a fussy eater but as far as onions are concern, he will make lots of noise.


I mixed some mozzarella cheese together with the pasta before covering it up with shredded cheddar cheese. The kids love it :)

This recipe is good for my family of 2A + 2C.

Ingredients
(A)
6 -7 cloves garlic, chopped
1 large onion, finely diced
4 leafstalks of celery, sliced
1/2 cup stock
Salt and pepper for seasoning

(B)
160g boiled penne pasta, boiled in salted water till al dente
2 cooked chicken thigh, shredded (approx 400g - 500g)

(C)
125g cheddar cheese
50g mozzarella cheese (optional)
Some parmesan cheese, to sprinkle (optional)

Method

1. Heat olive oil in a saucepan.
2. Add garlic and onion, cooked till soft.
3. Stir in celery and chicken stock.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Bring to boil and simmer for 10 mins. Set aside for later use.
6. In a casserole, mix in pasta, shredded chicken, cooked vegetables and mozzarella cheese.
7. Spread cheddar cheese to cover the top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.
8. Bake in preheat oven of 170C for 30 - 35 mins or till top is golden brown.