Start by seasoning your ground chicken. To a bowl, add your ground chicken and then season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Mix with a fork. Set aside.

To a larger skillet add your olive oil and then continue to add your mirepoix of onions, carrots and celery. Saute until softened approximately 5 minutes.

Add in your garlic for the last minute.

Add in the seasoned ground chicken and use a potato masher to break up the meat and cook until no longer pink.

Add in the pasta sauce, and  chicken stock give it a stir. Simmer while you prepare everything else.

Melt the Butter: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Make sure not to let it brown or burn; you want it to be melted and foamy.

Create the Roux: Once the butter is melted, add the all-purpose flour to the saucepan. Stir continuously with a whisk or wooden spoon to combine the flour with the butter. Cook the roux for about 2 minutes until it becomes a pale, smooth paste. This step is crucial to remove the raw flour taste from the sauce.

Add the chicken stock powder to the milk and give it a stir. Gradually Add the Milk: Slowly pour the milk into the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Gradually incorporating the milk is essential to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, which should take about 5-7 minutes.

Season the Sauce: Add the salt, ground white pepper, and a pinch of ground nutmeg (if using). Nutmeg adds a subtle warmth to the sauce, enhancing its flavor.

Simmer and Thicken: Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sauce will continue to thicken during this time.

Adjust Consistency: If the sauce becomes too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little more milk, a few tablespoons at a time, until you achieve your desired thickness.

Start by adding a layer of sauce to a heavy pot or baking dish.

Add a layer of cooked Ziti Pasta Noodles

Add the meat sauce over top the ziti noodles

Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese and the delicious Béchamel Sauce that we made.

Repeat this process again.

On the top layer add some parmesan cheese.

Cover the pasta with a tight fitting lid or aluminum foil.

Bake at 350 degrees with the lid on for approximately 20 minutes.

Broil for 2-3 minutes