Chicken Penne Casserole with Corn and Zucchini

Name: Chicken Penne Casserole with Corn and Zucchini
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 8 ounces Whole wheat Penne pasta; 1 tablespoon butter; 2/3 cup white whole wheat flour; 3 cups chicken broth; 1 cup 1% milk; 1 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons fresh thyme; 9 ounces about 1 ½ cups cooked, diced chicken; 1 zucchini; Kernels from 2 ears of fresh corn; 1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese; ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

User Reviews

4.0

15 reviews

Good

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings
8 servings
Calories
328 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Chicken Penne Casserole with Corn and Zucchini

Liam Alexander

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A creamy, healthy and delicious creamy chicken pasta casserole made with fresh zucchini and corn. A quick and easy weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Servings

8 ounces Whole wheat Penne pasta cooked and drained (can substitute with regular penne pasta)
1 tablespoon butter
2/3 cup white whole wheat flour can substitute with all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup 1% milk
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons fresh thyme minced (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
9 ounces about 1 ½ cups cooked, diced chicken
1 zucchini diced into very small pieces
Kernels from 2 ears of fresh corn about 1 ½ cups, or you can substitute with frozen corn kernels
1 ½ cups shredded Mozzarella cheese divided
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Spray a 9- x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add flour and stir to cook for about 1 minute. Whisk in broth, milk, salt and thyme and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Allow sauce to cook until it thickens, whisking regularly so that the sauce is smooth (about 5-10 minutes).
Remove from heat, stir in cooked pasta, ½ cup of mozzarella, chicken, zucchini, and corn.
Transfer chicken mixture to prepared dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and sprinkle with Parmesan.
Bake, uncovered, until bubbly and heated through (about 20-25 minutes).

Notes

Always preheat the oven before baking the casserole for best results
Use high-quality chicken (free range is always best and makes a huge difference in flavor).
Fresh thyme will give a stronger flavor but you can use dried if you don't have it. See my recommendations below.
Whole wheat pasta is lower in calories and higher in fiber and nutrients than white pasta so if you want to make easy healthy meals it's a good alternative to white pasta.
Frozen corn can be used instead of fresh but when fresh corn is in season it's worth buying.
Use low-fat milk instead of full fat or cream. This will reduce fat and calories and is an easy way to make weeknight meals lighter.
No zucchini? Spinach or broccoli would be great substitutes. Try to stick with green veggies with a lot of nutrients

Nutrition Information

Show Details

Calories 328kcal (16%) Carbohydrates 31g (10%) Protein 20g (40%) Fat 13g (20%) Saturated Fat 5g (25%) Cholesterol 48mg (16%) Sodium 843mg (35%) Potassium 314mg (9%) Fiber 3g (12%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 420IU (8%) Vitamin C 12.4mg (14%) Calcium 199mg (20%) Iron 1.2mg (7%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 328 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	328kcal	16%
Carbohydrates	31g	10%
Protein	20g	40%
Fat	13g	20%
Saturated Fat	5g	25%
Cholesterol	48mg	16%
Sodium	843mg	35%
Potassium	314mg	7%
Fiber	3g	12%
Sugar	3g	6%
Vitamin A	420IU	8%
Vitamin C	12.4mg	14%
Calcium	199mg	20%
Iron	1.2mg	7%