We try to eat a healthy, balanced diet, but you know Paula Deen’s boys have a taste for rich, creamy sauces. One of our favorite foods in a jar is Alfredo sauce, and it’s the perfect base for the world’s fastest chicken and pasta casserole. We throw in peas for a little green color, and add a nice tomato salad to get our veggies in.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　8 ounces (2 cups) penne pasta

　　One 10-ounce package frozen peas

　　4 cups shredded cooked chicken

　　One 15-ounce jar Alfredo sauce

　　1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (4 ounces)

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Butter a 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

　　

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne for 7 to 9 minutes. When the penne is almost done (firm but no longer crunchy), add the peas and continue cooking for 1 minute more. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking water and drain the penne and peas.

　　

Step 3

In a large bowl, combine the penne, peas, chicken, Alfredo sauce, and the reserved pasta cooking water. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and top with the Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned at the edges.

　　[The Deen Bros. Take It Easy](http://astore.amazon.com/epistore-20/detail/0345513266) by Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Copyright © 2009 Jamie Deen, Bobby Deen, and Melissa Clark. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved.Jamie and Bobby Deen grew up in Georgia—first in Albany and then in Savannah—and, like many Southerners, they have always considered cooking and food a big part of their lives. When their mother, Paula Deen, started a sandwich delivery business in 1989, the boys took charge of deliveries. As the business grew into The Lady restaurant, they continued to help. Then, in 1996, the trio opened The Lady & Sons Restaurant to resounding success. They haven't looked back since. They regularly appear on ABC's Good Morning America and had their own Food Network show, Road Tasted.Melissa Clark has written for The New York Times, Food & Wine, Travel & Leisure, and Real Simple and has collaborated on twenty-one books.