Shelly's Recipe

CHEESY CHICKEN AND MOSTACCIOLI

Category: Pasta - Baked

6 ozdried mostaccioli pasta
2 cups loose pack frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
2 tsp instant chicken bouillon granules
2 cups milk
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey jack pepper cheese
2 tbsp snipped cilantro or parsley
1 1/2 cups chopped cooked chicken, drained and broken into chunks or 9 1/4 ounces canned tuna, drained and broken into chunks
1 medium tomato, halved and sliced

In large saucepan bring about 3 quarts water to boil. Add pasta. Return to boiling, cook for 9 minutes. Add frozen mixed vegetables. Return to boiling, cook for 5-7 minutes more till pasta is tender but slightly firm and vegetables are crisp tender. Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.

For sauce, in a large saucepan cook onion in butter till tender. Stir in flour and bouillon granules. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir till thickened and bubbly. Add cheese, stirring till melted. Stir in cilantro or parsley. Remove from heat.
3Add pasta and chicken or tuna to the sauce, toss to coat. Spoon mixture into a 2 qt baking dish. Cover with foil.

Bake at 375 for 20 minutes. Remove foil. Arrange tomato slice halves on top of pasta mixture. Bake uncovered for 5-10 minutes more until heated through. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.