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Chicken and Veggie Mac and Cheese

2 cooked chicken breasts, in bite sized pieces
1 zucchini, in 1/2 inch pieces
20 grape tomatoes, cut in half and squeezed to get the seeds out
1 lb creste di galli pasta or elbow macaroni
6 tbsp butter
6 tbsp flour
3 1/2 cups whole milk, warm
8 oz shredded sharp cheddar
8 oz shredded havarti
pinch nutmeg
2 tsp smoky paprika
salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat and salt the water liberally once it has reached boiling. While waiting for the water to boil, melt 6 tbsp butter in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat. When the butter has melted add 6 tbsp flour and stir. Cook, while whisking, for 30 seconds to a minute. Slowly drizzle in small amounts of milk while whisking constantly, until all the milk is incorporated and the sauce is smooth. If you add the milk too fast or don’t whisk it in enough, your sauce will be lumpy. Bring the sauce to a simmer, stirring frequently. Add the pasta to the pot of salted water and cook for about 7-8 minutes or until the pasta is al dente. Once the milk sauce (also known as a béchamel) is simmering, add the nutmeg, paprika, and 6oz cheddar and 6oz havarti. Stir until the cheese is completely melted. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning by adding salt and pepper as needed. Remove from the heat and wait for the pasta to finish. When the pasta is al dente, drain it, then add the cheese sauce, chicken, grape tomatoes, and zucchini. Mix until everything is thoroughly lubed up with cheese sauce. Pour into a clear baking dish and top with 2oz cheddar and 2oz havarti. Bake at 400 degrees until the top layer is bubbly and golden in spots. Garnish the mac and cheese with chives to add a little color and enjoy!

* Party tip: If you know you'll be short for time on the day you're serving this dish, you can prepare everything one or two days in advance. Just stop before baking, cover, and refrigerate. Then it will be ready to be baked right before you need it.

Recipe by Amanda Simpson
http://www.whatwereeating.com/

From post: Leftover Night Meets Mac and Cheese
http://www.whatwereeating.com/land/leftover-night-meets-mac-and-cheese/