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Creamy Mini Thermos Chicken Alfredo Pasta Recipe for Easy Lunchbox Meals

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A quick and practical creamy chicken Alfredo pasta recipe designed to stay warm and delicious in a mini thermos, perfect for lunchboxes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3/4 cup (85g) mini pasta shells
  • 1 cup (150g) cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
  • 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk
  • 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Dice about 1 cup (150g) of cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Mince 2 cloves of garlic and grate 1/2 cup (50g) Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring about 3 cups (720ml) of salted water to a boil. Add 3/4 cup (85g) mini pasta shells and cook until just shy of al dente—about 7 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In the same saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons (28g) of unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, roughly 1 minute (don’t let it brown).
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons (16g) all-purpose flour over the melted butter and garlic, whisking constantly to form a roux. Cook for about 1-2 minutes until it bubbles and smells nutty.
  5. Slowly pour in 1 cup (240ml) whole milk and 1/4 cup (60ml) heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer; it should thicken after 3-5 minutes.
  6. Lower the heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  7. Add the cooked pasta shells and diced chicken to the sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly. Heat through for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors meld and the pasta finish cooking in the sauce.
  8. While the pasta finishes, fill your mini thermos with boiling water and let it sit for 5 minutes to warm. Empty the thermos and immediately transfer the creamy chicken Alfredo pasta inside. Seal tightly to maintain warmth.
  9. If desired, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before sealing.

Notes

Preheat the thermos with boiling water before packing to keep pasta warm. Slightly undercook pasta to prevent mushiness. Stir gently to keep pasta shells intact. Seal thermos tightly to trap heat. If sauce thickens too much after resting, stir in a splash of warm milk before packing.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken alfredo, creamy pasta, lunchbox meal, thermos recipe, easy pasta, leftover chicken recipe

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/creamy-mini-thermos-chicken-alfredo-pasta-recipe-for-easy-lunchbox-meals/