Description
Comforting chicken pasta bake combines creamy sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly al dente pasta in one irresistible dish. Melted cheese and golden breadcrumbs crown this hearty meal that welcomes you to savor every delicious, homemade bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Sauce:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13 baking vessel with cooking spray.
- Prepare pasta in boiling water until tender, ensuring it maintains a slight firmness; thoroughly drain excess liquid.
- Combine cooked pasta with tender pulled chicken meat, rich marinara sauce, velvety cream, aromatic garlic powder, zesty Italian herbs, and delicate seasoning in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Carefully transfer the creamy mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Generously scatter mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top, creating a luxurious blanket of melting dairy.
- Place in preheated oven and roast for 22-25 minutes, watching for golden, bubbling cheese and heated through center.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the surface for a vibrant garnish and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving hack when you’re short on meal prep time.
- Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to create a lighter, lower-calorie version of the dish.
- Incorporate additional vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini to boost nutritional value and add extra texture.
- For gluten-free options, replace regular pasta with chickpea or gluten-free pasta to accommodate dietary restrictions without compromising flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 518 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 37 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg