Mary Berry's chicken pasta bake has become a hit with home cooks, earning over 170 four-star reviews on BBC Food. The recipe, which serves six to eight people, is designed to be straightforward and can be prepared in under 30 minutes, with a baking time of just 20 minutes.
The dish features three skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into thin strips, cooked with paprika for flavour. The pasta is cooked with onion, then combined with a creamy sauce made from butter, flour, milk, mustard, and cheese. The recipe suggests adding peppers if tomatoes are not to your taste.
To prepare, preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C Fan) and grease a shallow 1.75 litre ovenproof dish. Cook the penne with onion in salted boiling water, then drain and refresh under cold water. Coat the chicken strips in paprika, salt, and pepper, then fry in oil for two minutes until golden and cooked through.
For the sauce, melt butter, add flour to make a roux, then gradually whisk in hot milk. Boil for four minutes, then stir in mustard and half the cheese. Combine the pasta and onion with the sauce, layer half in the dish, top with chicken, then the remaining pasta mixture. Scatter tomatoes and the rest of the cheese on top, then bake for 20 minutes until golden and heated through.
Mary Berry's recipe notes describe it as 'a wonderfully comforting chicken pasta bake' that can be made ahead and is sure to please the family.
