Creamy Pasta Recipe – The exquisite flavors are specially crafted for Ramadan Series Day 2. This delectable dish combines tender macaroni, succulent chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a rich white sauce, all baked to perfection. Perfect for breaking your fast with a burst of savory goodness. This recipe promises to delight your taste buds and leave you craving for more.
Nutritious Ingredients:
Our Baked Creamy Pasta is crafted with nutritious ingredients carefully chosen to provide a balanced meal during Ramadan. Macaroni serves as an excellent source of complex carbohydrates, providing sustained energy to keep you feeling full and satisfied. The addition of chicken offers high-quality protein, essential for muscle repair and growth, while the assortment of colorful vegetables adds a variety of vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber to support overall health.
Protein-Rich Chicken:
Chicken is a lean source of protein, rich in essential amino acids necessary for maintaining muscle mass and supporting bodily functions. During Ramadan, when fasting can lead to muscle breakdown, protein-rich foods like chicken in your meals help preserve muscle tissue and promote a feeling of fullness. It prevents overeating during Iftar.
Rich in Calcium:
The creamy white sauce in our recipe is made with milk and mozzarella cheese. It provides a significant amount of calcium. Calcium is essential for maintaining strong bones and teeth, supporting nerve function, and regulating muscle contractions. Including calcium-rich foods in your diet, such as dairy products, helps meet your daily calcium requirements. It is especially important during fasting when calcium absorption may be compromised.
Convenient and Time-Saving:
With its simple preparation steps and easy assembly, our Baked Creamy Pasta is a convenient and time-saving option for busy Ramadan evenings. The recipe can be prepared in advance, allowing you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time focusing on spiritual activities and spending quality time with family and loved ones during the holy month. Additionally, leftovers can be stored and reheated for quick and satisfying meals throughout the week, making it a convenient option for suhoor or iftar.
Creamy Pasta Recipe – Ramadan Special Pasta
Ingredients
- 2 cups macaroni
- 1 tsp salt (for boiling pasta)
- 1 tbsp oil (for boiling pasta)
- Black olives, for topping
- Mozzarella cheese, for topping
- Oregano, for topping
- Parsley, for topping
For White Sauce
- 1 tbsp butter or oil
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 chicken cube
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp parsley (optional)
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
For Making Chicken
- 400 g chicken, diced
- 2 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp chili sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- bell peppers (red, yellow, green), cubed
- 1/2 cup onion, cubed
Instructions
- Place a pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp salt and 1 tbsp oil. Add 2 cups of macaroni and boil until soft. Once cooked, strain the macaroni with water and set aside.
- In the same pan, add 1 tbsp oil over medium heat. Sauté 1 tsp garlic paste until fragrant. Add 2 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook until it becomes slightly colored. Gradually pour in 3 cups of milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Add 1 chicken cube, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp parsley (if using), 1/2 tsp oregano, and 1/4 tsp chili flakes. Stir continuously until the sauce thickens. Add 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and mix until melted. Set aside.
- In another pan over medium heat, add 1 tbsp oil and 1 tsp garlic paste. Cook until fragrant, then add 400g diced chicken. Cook until the chicken turns slightly pink, then add 2 tbsp ketchup, 1 tbsp chili sauce, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Add assorted bell peppers and 1 cup of sliced onion. Cook for an additional minute until the chicken is fully cooked and the vegetables are slightly tender.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Take an aluminum foil-lined baking dish. Layer the bottom with boiled macaroni, followed by the cooked chicken mixture. Pour the prepared white sauce over the chicken.
- Top with black olives and a layer of mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle oregano and parsley on top. Repeat the layers if desired.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious baked creamy pasta!
Video
Notes
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?
Yes, feel free to use your favorite pasta shapes such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the dish ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Simply cover it with foil and bake as directed when ready to serve.
Can I substitute the chicken with another protein?
Absolutely! You can use beef, shrimp, or tofu as alternative protein options in this recipe. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the protein you choose.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the chicken and add more vegetables or substitute it with tofu for a vegetarian version of this dish.
