Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Lately my girls have been driving my crazy with food. It seems like whenever I make a meal one of them does not like one part of. One likes provolone cheese, but the other doesn't. One likes Swiss cheese, but the other doesn't. The both like Munster, but one says "I just don't like it melted.". What!? You like a cheese but just not melted!? One likes sweet potatoes, but the other likes mashed potatoes. I could keep going on and on. It seems the older they get the more picky they are getting with food.

But thankfully this pasta dish was a hit with both of them. Neither one of them complained about any part of the meal. There may have been a question as to what the "red things" were and I may have responded with a small white lie and said they were petite diced tomatoes, you like them so just eat them. You see, my kids do not like peppers, and if they spot them in a dish they will either pick them out or not eat the dish. However they ate this dish without a fuss and I loved it. Plus it did not take long to make. If you use precooked and shredded chicken it will take you less than 30 minutes, but if you cook the chicken while making this dish it will take a little longer. I cooked the chicken while the pasta was cooking and then used the same skillet to make the rest of the meal.

Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces penne pasta
• 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup diced red peppers
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese
• 1 1/2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
• black pepper, to taste

Cooking Directions

1. Cook the noodles according to the package directions and drain.
2. In a large skillet, over medium heat, melt the butter. Add in the peppers and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add in the garlic and the flour, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes.
4. Slowly whisk in the milk and cook while whisking constantly until the mixture has thickened.
5. Add in 2 cups of the cheese and stir until completely melted and well mixed.
6. Stir in the cooked and drained pasta, chicken and ranch seasoning mix. Season with black pepper and top with the remaining shredded cheese.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Serves: 6
Amount Per Serving
Calories 440
Total Fat		24.2g
Saturated Fat		13g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0.6g
Monounsaturated Fat		1.7g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		124.3g
Sodium		532.5g
Potassium		195.3g
Total Carbohydrates		17.8g
Dietary Fiber		0.8g
Sugars		3g
Protein		37.5g
Vitamin A 25.11% Vitamin C 28.33%
Calcium 48.81% Iron 6.11%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Inside BruCrew Life.