Creamy Cheesy Pasta with Chicken, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Mushrooms

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Yes, we're trying to eat healthy. But it's also important to have indulgences once in a while! And to us, those indulgences are usually in the form of pasta. With cheese. And half-and-half. But there were vegetables, so that counts for something, right?

This was a very rich and creamy pasta dish. Plus it was very easy to make. You can really put any type of vegetable in this dish and it will turn out amazing, but I love the taste of sun-dried tomatoes so I opted for those. I also had some mushrooms on hand, so in they went. The chicken makes this meal very filling, so you don't have to eat too much of it...making it a little healthier. I think. Enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 10 oz. penne pasta
• 1/2 cup reserved pasta water
• 1 (7 oz.) jar sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 1 (8 oz.) package sliced mushrooms
• 3 tsp garlic, minced
• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 tsp. seasoned salt
• 1 cup fat-free half and half
• 1/2 tbsp. dried basil
• 1/2 tbsp. dried Italian seasoning
• 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 1/2 cup Parmesan-Romano blend cheese, shredded

Cook penne according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup water and then drain pasta. Set aside.

Drain sun-dried tomatoes over a bowl to reserve liquid. Cut tomatoes into thin strips.

Add 1.5 tbsp. reserved sun-dried tomato oil to a pan over medium heat. Add mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender. Remove mixture from pan and reserve in a bowl.

Sprinkle both sides of chicken with seasoned salt. Add 2 more tablespoons reserved sun-dried tomato oil to pan. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes or until done. Remove chicken from pan and place on a plate. Drain fat/oil from the pan.

Add cooked sun-dried tomato/mushroom mixture and half and half to pan. Add basil and Italian seasoning. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add cheeses. Continuously stir and immediately add 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Stir until cheese is melted and mixture is combined.

Add chicken and pasta to the pan and stir to coat. Serve immediately.

Source: SK Original