Pasta is one of my favorite dishes to cook, especially for busy weeknights or weekends at home. I usually prefer to make pasta with lots of tomatoes and tomato flavor or a variety of Japanese, Thai, Chinese, and Vietnamese noodle soups or stir fries. I created this recipe for the times when I just want a light and creamy pasta dish that is simple to make and full of flavor. If you like alfredo sauce but would like a creamy sauce that isn't as heavy on your stomach and need a pasta recipe that is easy to customize to your liking, you'll love this dish. If you're a beginner home cook, once you have this recipe down, you'll be making your own pasta sauces in no time! For a basic cream sauce recipe for beginners see this recipe here.
Ingredients:
-2 chopped boneless skinless chicken breasts
-1 small or medium sized head of fresh broccoli cut into small florets
-1 cup chopped baby bella mushrooms or white mushrooms (opt)
-2 cups ziti or penne pasta
-4 oz. cream cheese or neufchatel cut into small cubes
-3 tbs. butter or margarine
-1 tbs. olive oil
-1/2 tsp Lawry's Garlic Salt with Parsley
-1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
-1 tsp. onion powder
-1 tsp. garlic powder
-1/4 tsp. black pepper
-1/2 cup grated parmesan
-2 cups milk, soymilk, or almond milk
-2 tbs. minced garlic
-2 tbs. lemon juice
Steps:
Mix all dry seasonings in a small bowl and set aside. Melt 1 tbs. margarine or butter and 1 tbs. olive oil in a pot on medium-high heat. Add the chicken and vegetables. Cook for 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until the chicken is browned.
Add milk and the dry seasonings then bring to a boil. Stir in the pasta, cover, and cook on low heat for 12 minutes making sure to stir occasionally. Once the pasta is tender, stir in the cream cheese and parmesan until the cheeses completely melt. Enjoy!
For more easy and delicious recipes, go to www.thejoyofflavor.com and subscribe to get the latest recipes via email! Also, if you like what you see feel free to like, comment, share, and print my recipes as well as follow "The Joy of Flavor" Facebook page and my Instagram @joi.cooks.
More Tasty Pasta Recipes: