Chicken & broccoli pasta bake

Step 1

Heat the oven to 190C/ fan170C/ gas Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Throw in 350g pasta shells or quills, stir well and return to the boil.

Step 2

Cook for 6 minutes, then add 200g broccoli, cut into very small florets and stems thinly sliced, and cook for 5-6 minutes more until the pasta is just cooked. Drain well, then return to the pan.

Step 3

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a wide pan, add 350g thinly sliced boneless, skinless chicken breasts and fry until lightly browned.

Step 4

Tip in 175g quartered chestnut mushrooms and stir fry for 1 minute, then stir in 4 tbsp sundried tomato paste, 80g soft cheese with garlic and herbs and a 284ml carton single cream.

Step 5

Gently simmer, stirring, until the cheese has melted to thicken the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6

Pour the sauce over the pasta, stirring gently until coated, then tip into a shallow ovenproof dish (about 1.7 litre capacity) and level the top.

Step 7

Mix a bunch of finely sliced spring onions, 85g grated mature cheddar, 1 finely chopped garlic clove and 50g flaked almonds for the topping and sprinkle over the pasta. Bake for 20 minutes until golden.