Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms Recipe

 Yes, my easy Chicken Marsala Pasta is chock full of tender, juicy chicken, melty cheeses, hearty pasta, and earthy mushrooms. But it’s the creamy Marsala wine sauce that elevates this tasty casserole from ordinary to extraordinary.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups cooked cubed chicken two cups is about one pound
• 8 ounces ziti cooked according to package directions to the al dente stage, drained
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 16 ounces sliced mushrooms baby bella or white button
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• ¼ cup Marsala wine
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 ½ cups chicken stock
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese divided
• 8 oz mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes
• 3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley chopped

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil, and when it's hot, add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for six to seven minutes or until they are tender and lightly browned.
4. Add the salt and pepper and continue cooking until any liquid evaporates. Next, add the Marsala, and continue cooking until all of the liquid has evaporated. (This usually takes around two to three minutes.)
5. Add in the butter and stir until melted. Add the flour and stir, and cook for one to two minutes, just until it starts to turn light brown. Slowly add the chicken stock, constantly stirring while scraping the bottom of the pan as you add the stock. Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir until the sauce thickens, which will take another minute or two.
6. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and mix thoroughly. Then stir in three-quarters of a cup of the Parmesan cheese, thee cubed mozzarella, fresh parsley, and cooked chicken. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
7. Spray a 7×11 inch, oven-safe casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture. Top with the remaining parmesan cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F. or until the topping is lightly browned and the parmesan cheese has melted.
8. Serve immediately.