Ingredients
-
1 lb dry pasta (I prefer fettucine or spaghetti noodles)
-
1 tablespoon salt
-
3 cups broccoli florets
-
1 cup chicken broth
-
2 large garlic cloves, minced
-
1 1/2 tablespoons butter (I use unsalted)
-
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
-
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated, plus extra for sprinkling
-
2 cups shredded cooked chicken breasts (I usually add even more)
-
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
-
1/2 cup drained petite diced tomato
-
1/2 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (or to taste)
-
1 cup 2% evaporated milk
Instructions
- Bring about 2 quarts of water to a boil - add a tablespoon of salt to the boiling water.
- Add pasta and use the cooking time given on the package to cook your pasta al dente. Stir frequently at first to prevent pasta from sticking.
- Add the broccoli to the boiling pasta water during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
- Meanwhile, microwave broth, milk and garlic in a microwave-safe bowl until steamy hot (approx. 3 to 4 minutes). Then let it stand for a few minutes.
- Put butter in a saucepan over low heat.
- After butter melts, whisk in flour, then hot milk mixture. Whisk constantly over medium-low to medium heat until sauce thickens. This should take about 1 to 2 minutes. You judge as to when the sauce thickens up.
- Stir in parmesan, cooked chicken, tomatoes, basil and red pepper flakes.
- Salt and pepper to taste and let simmer for about 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Drain pasta and broccoli, *reserving 1 cup pasta cooking liquid* and return to pasta pot.
- Pour cream sauce over pasta, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten.
- Toss and serve immediately with a light sprinkling of parmesan.
- Enjoy!