Healthy Chicken Vegetable Casserole - cooking recipe

Ingredients

12 ounces cooked chicken breasts, diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 ounces skim milk
1 pinch white pepper
1 teaspoon italian seasoning
1 tablespoon parmesan cheese, grated
7 ounces penne pasta, whole wheat
2 yellow bell peppers or 2 orange bell peppers, chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
12 ounces broccoli, chopped (approximately 2 heads)
1/3 cup monterey jack cheese
nonstick cooking spray

Preparation

Prepare the white sauce by placing the butter in a small sauce pot that has been preheated over medium heat. Once the butter foams, add flour and stir for 1 minute; try not to let the mixture turn brown. Add milk to the mixture turn brown. Add milk to the mixture and continue to stir until it starts to bubble. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add pepper, Italian seasoning and Parmesan ceese to the sauce. Stir to combine. Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, preheat oven to 350\u00b0F During the last minute of pasta's cooking, add the chopped broccoli to the water. Allow to simmer for one minute.
Drain the pasta and broccoli. Spritz the bottom and sides of a 9x13 oven-proof casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray.
In a large bowl, combine the pasta and broccoli with the chicken and chopped vegetables; cover with the sauce. Place in the baking dish. Sprinkle with the Monterey Jack cheese and cover with foil.
Bake for 20 minutes; remove foil and continue to bake until cheese is melted (about 10 minutes).