Leftover Chicken Pasta Bake
This leftover chicken pasta bake recipe is a great way to use up leftover roast chicken and is sure to become a real favorite with the whole family.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time30 minutes mins
Additional Time10 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Course: Family Dinners
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 364kcal
For the Chicken Ragu
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- ½ teaspoon dried Italian herbs
- ½ pint chicken stock (250ml)
- salt & pepper
- 2 cups leftover roast chicken (250g)
For the Cheese Sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter (20g)
- 1 tablespoon all purpose flour (20g)
- 1 cup milk (200ml)
- ⅔ cup grated cheese (80g)
To Make the Pasta Bake
- 1 lb penne pasta (550g)
- ½ cup grated cheese
For the chicken ragu
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Add onions and cook over a medium heat until softened.
Add the garlic and continue to cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in the can of tomatoes, herbs and tomato paste and mix together.
Pour in the stock, season with salt & pepper and bring to the boil.
Let it cook & bubble for a good 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. You want to end up with a good thick sauce.
Stir in the chicken and heat through for around 5-10 minutes.
Meanwhile cook the cheese sauce and pasta.
For the Cheese Sauce
Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.
Stir in the flour.
Using a whisk or wooden spoon, gradually add in the milk, stirring all the time.
Continue stirring over a medium heat until the mixture has thickened to sauce consistency.
Stir in the grated cheese and continue stirring until the cheese has all been incorporated and you have a thick creamy sauce.
To assemble the Pasta Bake
Cook the pasta according to packet instructions.
Drain the cooked pasta and return to the saucepan.
Stir in the chicken ragu and cheese sauce and mix well together.
Tip all the ingredients into an ovenproof dish, sprinkle the cheese over the top and bake in the oven at 400F / 200C or under a preheated broiler until the cheese on top is bubbling and starting to brown.
If you have a Thermomix, you can make the cheese sauce in the Thermomix very easily. Follow the instructions in our Mac and Cheese recipe.
Serving: 4g | Calories: 364kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 448mg | Sugar: 2g