About
This is one casserole that will make you jump(man)! Mario Brothers Bake is no pipe dream and no mystery box; it's just good flavor all the way down! Tender bow tie pasta honors the heroic plumbers' Italian-American heritage, and then gets mixed together with juicy, savory chicken in a creamy, tangy sauce. Oh, and there are plenty of mushrooms! Can't have a Mario Brothers Bake without beefy mushrooms! Sorry if you have any upbeat video game themes stuck in your head!
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) box bow tie pasta
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 3 cups chicken, cooked and diced
- 1 (32-ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- parsley, optional, to taste, chopped, for garnish
Directions
Step 1 -Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 -Coat a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 3 -In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente, according to the package directions.
Step 4 -In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Step 5 -Add the onions, the celery, and 1 teaspoon of the salt and cook until the veggies are softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 6 -Add the garlic and the mushrooms and cook until the mushrooms are soft, about 3-4 minutes.
Step 7 -Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and stir until the flour is absorbed, about 30 seconds-1 minute.
Step 8 -Add the chicken broth and bring the sauce mixture to a boil.
Step 9 -Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the sauce thickens, about 7-9 minutes.
Step 10 -In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, the chicken, the yogurt, the remaining salt, 1 cup of the cheese, the lemon juice, the Worcestershire sauce, and the pepper and toss to combine.
Step 11 -Add the reduced sauce to the bowl and stir to combine.
Step 12 -Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer.
Step 13 -In a small bowl, add the remaining cheese, the panko, and the olive oil and mix to combine.
Step 14 -Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
Step 15 -Bake until golden-brown and bubbly, about 45-50 minutes.
Step 16 -Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes.
Step 17 -Serve garnished with the parsley.
