This easy Lactose Free Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food for busy weeknights. Made with the new Perfect Italiano Lactose Free cheese, it delivers all the creamy, cheesy goodness you love - without the lactose.
Ingredients
300g penne or spiral pasta
250g broccoli, cut into small florets
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
¼ cup plain flour
2 ½ cups lactose free milk
1½ cups Perfect Italiano Lactose Free Bakes cheese
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 cups cooked, shredded BBQ chicken
Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a large 10 cup capacity baking dish.
Cook the pasta according to the packet instructions in a large pot of boiling water. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add broccoli. Drain well.
Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic; cook for 30 seconds. Stir in flour; cook for 1 minute. Turn off heat. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly until smooth. Bring to a simmer and stir occasionally over a medium heat until thickened.
Whisk through half a cup of the cheese until melted. Stir in thyme, chicken, pasta and broccoli. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Tip into baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Bake for 20 minutes until golden and heated through. Serve immediately.
Tips & Hints
Use leftover roast chicken from your Sunday roast. Alternatively, coarsely chop or shred store-bought BBQ chicken.
You can replace fresh thyme for 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
