Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines tender chicken, a rich tomato sauce, and three kinds of cheese for an irresistible meal the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Season chicken cubes generously with salt and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
3. Step 3: In the same skillet, sauté chopped onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Step 5: Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and black pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and let simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Step 6: Return cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for another 5 minutes.
7. Step 7: While the sauce simmers, cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
8. Step 8: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
9. Step 9: In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked pasta and chicken sauce mixture.
10. Step 10: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
11. Step 11: Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
12. Step 12: Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
13. Step 13: Let the bake rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a splash of red wine to the tomato sauce while it simmers.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish gluten-free.
• Swap the chicken for cooked sausage or ground beef for a different protein option.
• If you prefer a creamier bake, stir in 1/2 cup of ricotta or cream cheese before baking.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through or microwave individual portions until hot.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the pasta bake a day before and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bake it fresh when ready to serve.

What pasta works best for this bake?

Pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or rigatoni hold the sauce well and work best, but feel free to use your favorite type.

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 76 reviews

This Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and straightforward dish combining tender chicken, flavorful tomato sauce, and a blend of melted cheeses over perfectly cooked pasta. It’s an easy-to-make, family-friendly meal that brings together rich Italian flavors with gooey, bubbly baked cheese for a satisfying dinner.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Chicken and Sauce

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Pasta and Cheese

• 1 pound pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Garnish

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

1. Season Chicken: Season chicken cubes generously with salt and black pepper to ensure they are well-flavored before cooking.
2. Brown Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken cubes and cook, turning occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 5 minutes.
4. Add Garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
5. Prepare Sauce: Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes if using. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it gently simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet with the sauce and simmer together for another 5 minutes so the flavors meld.
7. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
8. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta.
9. Mix Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked pasta with the chicken and tomato sauce mixture until evenly coated.
10. Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
11. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
12. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
13. Rest and Garnish: Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh touch and color.

Notes

• You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier option.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of Italian seasoning or fresh basil.
• Pasta shapes like penne or rotini hold the sauce well, but feel free to use your favorite.
• Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the oven.
• To make it spicier, increase red pepper flakes or add a dash of hot sauce to the sauce.

Keywords: cheesy chicken pasta bake, baked pasta, chicken casserole, easy dinner, comfort food