Cheesy chicken and vegetable pasta bake

Ingredients

• 8 ounces (250g) dried pasta shapes of your choice
• 4 medium chicken breasts ((approximately 360g or 12 ounces))
• 1 cup chopped leeks
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup chopped fresh tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped mushrooms
• salt and finely ground black pepper (to taste)
• 1 3/4 ounces (75g) butter
• 1 ounce (30g) cornflour / cornstarch
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese (for the sauce)
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (for sprinkling on top of the bake)
• salt and finely ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. 1

   Boil the pasta in a large pan of boiling water, according to the instrutions on the packet.

2. 2

   Drain the cooked pasta through a colander and then rinse under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Leave to drain in the colander then arrange the drained pasta in the baking dish.

3. 3

   Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan of cold water, season with salt and black pepper (optional) cover and bring to a rolling boil.

4. 4

   Once the chicken is boiling, remove from the heat and leave in the saucepan of hot water to cool.

5. 5

   Cut the cooled chicken into 1" (2½cm) dice. Set aside until needed.

6. 6

   Slice the leeks. Break the broccoli into small florets. Dice the tomatoes and mushrooms into approximately ½" (1cm) pieces. Place each vegetable in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover each bowl with clingfilm.

7. 7

   Microwave the leeks on full power for 4 minutes. Microwave the broccoli, tomatoes and mushrooms separately for 3 minutes each.

8. 8

   Mix the cooked vegetables and chopped chicken with the pasta in the baking dish.

9. 9

   --- Make the cheese sauce ---

10. 10

    Set the oven to 180°C/375°F and allow to pre-heat while you make the cheese sauce.

11. 11

    Melt the butter in a saucepan, then remove from the heat and mix in the cornflour/cornstarch until there are no lumps

12. 12

    Return to the heat and add the milk. Stir continuously until the mixture comes to the boil and thickens.

13. 13

    Add 1 cup of grated cheese and stir until melted.

14. 14

    Season with salt (optional) and plenty of freshly ground black pepper

15. 15

    Pour the cheese sauce over the vegetables, chicken and pasta in the baking dish, and mix through with a large spoon.

16. 16

    Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of grated cheese

17. 17

    Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until the cheese has melted and turned golden brown.

18. 18

    Remove from the oven and serve immediately.