The BEST Easy Chicken Pasta Bake
Introduction
Nothing satisfies a hungry crowd or a busy family quite like a comforting Chicken Pasta Bake. This dish is a classic, loaded with flavor, and couldn’t be easier to put together—making it the ultimate weeknight dinner hero. Whether you’re feeding kids, hosting friends, or planning for leftovers, this hearty, cheesy bake is guaranteed to please.
What Makes This Chicken Pasta Bake Truly the Best?
This recipe stands out for its simple, accessible ingredients and straightforward prep. Tender chicken, al dente pasta, a creamy tomato sauce, and layers of gooey cheese come together in one bubbling casserole. The balance of creaminess, vibrant tomato flavor, and zesty seasoning delivers maximum comfort and just the right touch of indulgence.
Essential Prep for Flavorful Results
The secret to a great Chicken Pasta Bake starts with prepping your vegetables and perfectly cooked chicken. For quick dicing, a tool like the Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper can speed things up and give your onions and peppers even cuts. Sautéing everything in a high-quality SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch ensures your aromatics become soft and fragrant without sticking.
If you’re using cooked or rotisserie chicken, shredding it with a Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen makes the process effortless and results in uniform pieces that hold their texture in the bake.
The Secret Sauce & Assembly
Your sauce base combines tomato passata or crushed tomatoes with garlic, classic Italian spices, and a splash of cream for richness. Use a Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender if you want an ultra-smooth sauce, or keep it chunky for more texture.
Once the pasta is cooked and drained, toss everything together, add cheese, and layer it into a casserole dish lined with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup and to prevent sticking.
Baking & Serving Tips
Bake your assembled casserole until the cheese is molten and golden in places. For the finishing touch, allow the bake to rest for a few minutes before slicing, which makes serving neater and the flavors meld beautifully. A side salad in a Bentgo Salad Container or some garlic bread make perfect complements.
If you end up with leftovers, they store beautifully in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers—ideal for meal prepping or next-day lunches.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This dish serves 6 hearty portions, each providing a balanced mix of protein, carbs, and fats. Expect around 450–500 calories per serving, depending on the type of cheese and cream used.
The BEST Easy Chicken Pasta Bake (Recap)
With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this Chicken Pasta Bake is a true comfort food classic. It’s rich, filling, and always a family favorite—perfect for any occasion where you want a no-fuss, delicious meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until just al dente (a minute less than package instructions).
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper; sauté until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another 1 minute.
- Add the passata or crushed tomatoes, oregano, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 6–7 minutes until thickened. Lower the heat and add the cream, stirring until just combined.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, sauce, and half the mozzarella and Parmesan. Toss until evenly coated.
- Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with a sheet of Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll for easy cleanup. Pour in the pasta mixture, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and starting to gold.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and enjoy!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Enjoy the ultimate crowd-pleasing Chicken Pasta Bake—creamy, cheesy, and impossibly delicious!