Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Bake

This dish has the same delicious taste as the traditional Chicken Cordon Bleu minus all of the work. It comes together fairly easily and is cheesy and delicious. Plus it has pasta added to it.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Bake

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces bow tie pasta
• 3 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 cup all purpose flour
• 2 cups half and half
• 4 ounces shredded Swiss cheese
• 1/3 cup + 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 4 thick slices of ham, cut into bite sized pieces
• 2 cups bite sized cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions and drain, saving some of the pasta water.
2. Preheat oven to 400º F. Spray a large casserole dish lightly with cooking spray.
3. In a large sauce pan, over medium heat, melt the butter.
4. Add in the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, stirring frequently and watching to make sure it does not burn.
5. Add in the flour and stir until flour is completely incorporated.
6. Slowly add in the half and half, whisking constantly, until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened.
7. Add in the Swiss cheese, 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese, onion powder, black pepper and Dijon mustard. Stir until the cheese is melted and mixture is smooth.
8. Add the ham, chicken and pasta to the sauce and stir until well mixed. If the sauce is too thick add some pasta water to thin out.
9. Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish.
10. Sprinkle the top of the casserole with the bread crumbs and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.
11. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are browned and casserole is warmed through.

Enjoy!!!

Serves: 4
Calories: 932
Total Fat: 37g
   Saturated: 19g
   Polyunsaturated: 0.8g
   Monounsaturated: 5.4g
   Trans: 0g
Cholesterol: 182.8mg
Sodium: 1,170.7mg
Potassium: 58.5mg
Total Carbs: 85g
   Dietary Fiber: 3.8g
   Sugars: 7.9g
Protein: 63.9g
Vitamin A: 16%
Vitamin C: 4.2%
Calcium: 48.9%
Iron: 29.3%
*The nutritional information will vary slightly depending on the brands you use.
*Adapted from Creme de la Crumb.