Easy & Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta
• ¼ cup salted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tbsp minced garlic, about 3 cloves
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 16 oz shredded cooked chicken
• 16 oz cubed ham
• ½ cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp salted butter, melted
• ½ tsp garlic powder

Method

1. Preheat oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
2. Boil the penne in salted water until al dente, drain, and place in the baking dish.
3. Melt butter in a saucepan, whisk in flour and garlic, and cook for 1 minute.
4. Whisk in chicken broth and heavy cream until smooth.
5. Stir in Dijon mustard, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper.
6. Simmer the sauce for 3-5 minutes until thickened.
7. Remove from heat and stir in the Swiss cheese until melted.
8. Spread the shredded chicken and cubed ham over the pasta in the baking dish.
9. Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the pasta, chicken, and ham.
10. Mix Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and garlic powder in a bowl.
11. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top of the casserole.
12. Bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and the topping is golden.
13. Serve hot while creamy and crisp.