Mary Berry's quick and easy chicken pasta bake is a comforting meal in just 30 minutes

Struggling to decide on tonight's dinner? There's little that's simpler yet more indulgent than a satisfying pasta dish.

Mary Berry's chicken pasta bake is a sumptuous, cheesy delight, brimming with well-seasoned chicken enveloped in a creamy sauce, complete with onions and tomatoes.

Mary herself described the dish on the BBC website: "A wonderfully comforting chicken pasta bake, this can be made ahead and will go down really well with the family."

The recipe is straightforward and quick to prepare, requiring just minutes before spending 20 minutes in the oven, reports the Express.

Ideal for diners of all ages, this ultimate comfort food is sure to be a hit with kids, teens, and adults alike. Here's how you can whip up Mary Berry's chicken pasta bake at home:.

You'll need the following ingredients and kitchen equipment

• A shallow ovenproof dish

• Pot

• Large frying pan

• Sandwich bag

• Slotted spoon

• 250g of penne pasta

• 100g of parmesan cheese

• 50g plain flour

• 50g of butter (plus extra for greasing)

• 750ml of hot milk

• Three skinless boneless chicken breasts

• Two large tomatoes

• One onion

• One tablespoon of Dijon mustard

• One tablespoon of paprika

• Two tablespoons of olive oil

• Salt and pepper

Here's the cooking method

1. Start by preheating your oven to 220C (200C Fan or Gas 7) and greasing your ovenproof dish.

2. Chop the onion roughly and boil it with the penne pasta in salted water, adhering to the packet's instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

3. Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips and toss them in a sandwich bag with paprika, salt, and pepper to coat evenly.

4. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan and sear the chicken over high heat for two minutes until it's golden brown and just cooked. Remove the chicken using a slotted spoon and place it on a plate to rest.

5. To whip up the pasta sauce, melt the butter in a frying pan, add the flour and stir continuously for one minute on high heat. Gradually pour in the hot milk while stirring until you achieve a smooth, thick sauce.

6. Let the sauce boil for about four minutes, then mix in the mustard, half of the parmesan cheese and season with salt and pepper.

7. Combine the pasta and onion with the sauce and stir well. Transfer the mixture into an oven dish, then sprinkle the remaining cheese and tomato pieces on top.

8. Bake it in the oven for approximately 20 minutes until the pasta bake is piping hot and has a crispy golden brown crust, then remove from the oven and your delectable dish is ready to be served.