Creamy mushroom, chicken and cauliflower pasta bake

This dish is a vege-packed take on the classic macaroni cheese. Plant-based eating at its best

Serves: 2

Time to make: 35 mins

Ingredients

More weights & measures

1 cup wholemeal pasta (macaroni or rigatoni)
spray oil
200g chicken breast, cut into 2cm pieces
2 spring onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
3 cups mushrooms, sliced
2 cups chopped cauliflower (florets and stalk)
2 cups rocketarugulaX leaves
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup skim milk
½ cup grated parmesan, plus 2 tablespoons extra to sprinkle
½ teaspoon ground white pepper
black pepper
fresh herbs of your choice, to garnish (optional)

Instructions

Stay Awake

1 Cook pasta following packet instructions. Drain, but reserve ½ cup pasta water. Set aside. Preheat oven to 180°C.

2 Spray a pan with oil and bring to a medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes, until browned. Set aside. Add spring onions, garlic, celery and mushrooms to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes.

3 Into a baking dish, place vege mixture along with cauliflower, rocket, chicken and pasta and mix gently to combine.

4 In a pot, heat oil over medium-high. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add milk. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring, until sauce thickens slightly. Add cheese and white pepper and stir through. Remove from heat and stir in pasta water.

5 Stir sauce through pasta mixture in baking dish. Season with black pepper and sprinkle with remaining parmesan. Bake for 15 minutes, until bubbling and golden. Serve bake in bowls, garnished with herbs.

Variations

Make it gluten free: Use gluten-free pasta and flour.

HFG tip

NOTE: If you have a nut allergy and are using packaged goods in recipes, please check the allergen warning on the packet regarding nuts.

Nutrition Info (per serve)

Calories 551 cal

Kilojoules 2300 kJ

Protein 48 g

Total fat 18 g

Saturated fat 6 g

Carbohydrates 40 g

Sugar 12 g

Dietary fibre 14 g

Sodium 340 mg

Calcium 590 mg

Iron 4 mg

Note: This nutrition analysis is a guide only. Nutrition composition will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. See our guides on your optimal daily nutrition intake, and supermarket shopping.