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Plan Z Phase: This is a Z3.5(ZReboot3.5) recipe.

This recipe can be done with several variations. I’ll lay out the instructions with chicken, but it can also be made with ham, tuna (canned or fresh cooked) smoked chicken or even a pulled apart rotisserie chicken. The veggies can vary too. Besides the ones I mention in the recipe, think of other things you could add like peas, summer squash, and broccoli cut into bite-sized pieces. You can even vary the cheese choice. I think cheddar, pepper jack, gruyere, and Monterey jack would work great.  As you read the recipe you can let your imagination run wild and decide how YOUR Dump and Bake Casserole will be created.

Servings: Serves 4. Can be doubled and baked in a 9”x13” casserole too.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of diced, cooked chicken (or other meat)
• 1 cup of halved grape tomatoes (I used multicolored ones)
• 1/2 of a small zucchini cut into bite-sized cubes
• 1 cup of uncooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, fusilli, rotini, bow ties and even spaghetti cut in half can work)
• 1/2 cup of corn (I used canned, drained)
• 1 1/2 cups of low sodium chicken broth
• 2 cups of shredded mozzarella (or other cheese)
• 1/4 cup of fresh basil cut into strips (chiffonade)
• 1 1/2 tsp of minced garlic (jar garlic will work)
• Grated sea salt to taste

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray the baking dish with olive oil spray.

In a bowl, mix together the chicken, tomatoes, zucchini, corn, and broth. Add half of the cheese and half of the basil. Add the garlic along with your sea salt and stir once more.

Measure your pasta and put it (uncooked) in the bottom of the baking dish.  (Don’t worry. It will soak up the sauce and cook as it bakes.) Pour the contents of the bowl over the pasta.

Seal the dish with aluminum foil and put it in the oven to bake for 40 minutes. This is when you are going to take off the lid and make sure the pasta is cooked through. Just use your fork to take out a noodle and taste. If it’s not done to your liking put it back in the oven for a few minutes more.

When it’s cooked through sprinkle the rest of the cheese and basil on top. Bake uncovered for 5 – 10 minutes more.

After removing it from the oven, let it sit for five to ten minutes to cool down a bit so you don’t burn your mouth. Serve the portions in dinner bowls or on plates and sprinkle on the rest of the basil.

Enjoy!

Cheers,