Spring is here! Maybe you've noticed that those three words bring a smile to my face and, yes, a spring to my step! We can now officially start looking forward to longer, warmer days. More outdoor time. The end of the most unusual school year on record. And, not just getting that grill out but also seeing more and more fresh vegetables available to brighten up our meals.
I went googling for a new pasta recipe and found one on theseasonedmom.com. The term "Dump And Bake" takes me back to when my kids were young and there just wasn't time most days to bake using measuring cups and spoons. Most of the time the most popular goodies were the ones with just a couple of ingredients mixed together quickly.
This recipe qualifies both as being very easy to make and absolutely spring-time delicious!
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of celery soup (NOT diluted) (I used Campbell’s Healthy Request)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup low-sodium chicken broth or water
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ½ cup diced onion (I used frozen diced onion as a shortcut)
- 1 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
- ½ cup diced red bell pepper
- 2 celery stalks, diced
- ½ lb. raw boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups uncooked penne pasta
- 1 cup grated American or cheddar cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together condensed soup, milk, chicken broth, and pepper. Stir in onion, mushrooms, bell pepper, celery, raw chicken, uncooked pasta, and ½ cup cheese.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Cover tightly and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove foil and give everything a stir in the dish. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup of cheese over top. Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, for 30-40 more minutes, or until pasta is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Cooking for a larger family? I recommend doubling all of the ingredients and preparing the casserole in a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. The baking instructions remain the same.
