Go Back
+ servings
A white plate with creamy chicken pasta bake.
Print Recipe
3.97 from 57 votes

Mary Berry's Chicken Pasta Bake

Mary Berry's Chicken Pasta Bake, a fantastic family meal that is super easy to make. A creamy, cheesy white sauce, garlicky chicken, and juicy fresh tomatoes, what a glorious dinner! Even fussy kids will love this casserole that sums up what comfort food is all about.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: English
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 566kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts
  • 2 cups penne pasta (about 200 g)
  • 2 tablespoon butter (about 30 g)
  • 2 tablespoon plain flour
  • 2 cups full-fat milk
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic granules
  • 1 teaspoon ground paprika
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • ½ cup chopped fresh tomatoes

Instructions

  • Boil the pasta according to the packet instructions. Drain the water and set aside.
  • Cut the chicken breasts into pieces, add them to a re-sealable bag together with the garlic granules, paprika, quarter a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of pepper.
    Heat up the oil in a pan or a grill pan, add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes until cooked through.
  • To make the sauce, melt the butter in a pan, add the flour and stir to make a paste.
  • Gradually pour in the milk, continuing to stir until it thickens into a sauce.
  • Add the parmesan, dijon mustard, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Mix the sauce with the pasta.
  • Transfer half of it to an oven-proof dish, then arrange the chicken pieces over it, and add the remaining pasta.
  • Chop and deseed the tomatoes, then top the pasta with them.
  • Bake at 180 degrees C (360 F) for 20 minutes until bubbly hot.

Video

Notes

  • The dish can also be cooked without making it to the oven, you can simply cook the chicken, make the sauce, coat the cooked and drained pasta with the sauce, and add the chicken pieces to it.
  • The dish would still be delicious this way too, but baking it really takes it to the very next level - I absolutely love the golden baked bits of the pasta, it's the best thing!
  • Be careful when you take the dish out of the oven, the sauce makes the pasta extra hot, so I'd leave it to cool for a bit before trying it out. 

Nutrition

Calories: 566kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 734mg | Potassium: 742mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 800IU | Vitamin C: 1.3mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 1.6mg