Chicken and penne alfredo

Today is laundry day.  I only do laundry once a week.  Aaron handles his own laundry so it's just mine and Bailey's and even with our towels and blankets it's only two loads of laundry each week.

As soon as Bailey went to sleep I started the white load.  Then I made hamburger patties and stuck them in the fridge ready to cook for dinner.  Next I cleaned the kitchen from breakfast and swept and mopped.  I moved the whites to the dryer and started the colors.  I tidied the living room (Cheerios again) and re-organized the DVD rack.  About the time I got the laundry moved over and had half of the white load folded Bailey woke up.

Aaron was home by the time Bailey woke up so he played with her in the bedroom while I started dinner.  When I told him we were having hamburgers for dinner he acted disappointed.  He looked at the menu and asked if we could have the chicken alfredo instead.  I hate when my menu is disturbed but since the alfredo sauce is so easy I agreed.

I'm not kidding when I say it's easy.  I was so surprised when I found a recipe for alfredo sauce that has only three ingredients!

Chicken and Penne Alfredo

1 lb cooked and chopped chicken breasts

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter at room temperature

1 cup heavy cream

3/4 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

1 box penne pasta

1 package frozen broccoli (optional)

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter and cheese until fluffy.  Drizzle in the cream while still mixing.  Set aside.  Cook the pasta according to the package directions.  Drain the pasta and toss with the sauce until completely melted.  Add in the chicken and broccoli and toss until coated.  Serve warm.

I know it's not very authentic and is quite heavy on the fat, but it isn't something that makes the menu often.  Plus, since we don't get to go out to eat often this is a nice, easy substitute for a meal at, say, Olive Garden.