Creamy Chicken Pasta

4 large cloves garlic, peeled
1 jar (7 oz) sun-dried tomatoes in oil, undrained
3 cups penne pasta (NOT whole wheat)
4 cups chicken broth
1 head broccoli (2 cups small florets)
2 medium carrots, peeled
4 oz reduced-fat cream cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Grated fresh Parmesan cheese and snipped fresh basil (optional)


Place 2 Tbsp of the oil from the Sun-Dried tomatoes into the bottom of the Deep Covered Baker. Use Garlic Slicer to slice all 4 garlic cloves into oil, and stir to coat. Cover and microwave 2 minutes, stirring halfway through. Add pasta and broth, stir, cover and return to microwave for 12 minutes, stirring halfway through.

While pasta is cooking, cut broccoli into small florets and place them in the Batter Bowl. Cut carrots in half length-wise then thinly slice on a bias. Add carrots to the batter bowl. Drain sun-dried tomatoes on a paper towel and slice into thin strips. Cut cream cheese into cubes.

When the microwave goes off, remove the DCB, stir pasta and add in broccoli and carrots, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes, stir, add tomatoes and cream cheese, cover and cook for an additional 3 minutes.

Stir and serve immediately, garnishing with Parmesan cheese and basil. Stir in some cooked chicken to add some protein and make it a complete meal.

Total time start to finish: 19 minutes!!!