Say hello to a fun new pasta bake! This Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta features a delicious combination of chicken, ham, cheese and pasta. Bake it up for dinner tonight!
Prep Time20 minutesmins
Cook Time1 hourhr
Total Time1 hourhr20 minutesmins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: casserole, chicken cordon bleu, pasta
Servings: 8servings
Calories: 608kcal
Author: David
Ingredients
For the Pasta
16oz.penne pasta
1Tbspolive oil
16oz.boneless, skinless chicken breasts
8oz.deli-sliced hamsee note
½cupshredded Swiss cheese
1cupshredded Monterey Jack cheese
2Tbspunsalted buttermelted
½cupItalian-style panko bread crumbs
For the Sauce
2Tbspunsalted butter
¼cupall-purpose flour
1½cupsmilk
1½cupslow-sodium chicken stock
2TbspDijon mustard
¾tspkosher salt
½tspsmoked paprika
½tspblack pepper
½cupshredded Swiss cheese
½cupshredded Monterey Jack cheese
fresh parsleychopped
Instructions
For the Pasta
Cook pasta for 3 minutes less than package instructions. (Note: The pasta will continue cooking in the oven.) Drain pasta and set aside.
While pasta is cooking, add olive oil to a large skillet and cook the chicken breasts for 16-18 minutes, flipping once, or until fully cooked. Let chicken cool and then chop into cubes.
Using a medium mixing bowl, add Swiss and Monterey Jack cheeses; toss until well combined.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Spray a 9”x13” baking dish with nonstick baking spray.
Layer ¼ of the cooked pasta, ⅓ of the cooked chicken, ⅓ of the ham and ¼ of the cheeses into the bottom of the pan. Repeat process 2 more times and then finish by spreading remaining pasta and cheese on top of the pan.
Using a small mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and panko bread crumbs; set mixture aside.
For the Sauce
Using a large skillet, add butter and place over medium heat. Once butter has melted, add flour gradually and stir until smooth. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes, stirring often.
Add milk, chicken broth, Dijon mustard, salt, smoked paprika and pepper; stir and increase heat to medium-high. Continue cooking for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, or until mixture has begun to boil.
Remove sauce from heat and stir in cheeses.
Pour sauce evenly over pasta.
Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly on top.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until top of casserole has browned.
Top with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Rather than slices, ask for the ham to be cut into thick (¾”) pieces. Then just cut the ham into cubes at home.