Description
Creamy Tuscan chicken pasta bake blends Mediterranean flavors with comforting Italian ingredients. Rich sauce, tender chicken, and melted cheese create a delightful meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Sauce Ingredients:
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
- 12 cup (60 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasoning and Aromatics:
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Prepare pasta in boiling water until tender yet firm, then thoroughly drain and set aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, gently sautéing minced garlic until aromatic and lightly golden.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach, chicken broth, and heavy cream to the skillet, allowing ingredients to meld and simmer for approximately 3 minutes.
- Incorporate Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the sauce, stirring continuously until the mixture begins to thicken and develop a rich, creamy consistency.
- Gently fold cooked chicken into the sauce, ensuring even distribution of ingredients.
- Transfer the pasta into the prepared baking dish, pour the creamy chicken and sauce mixture over the top, and spread evenly.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese across the entire surface of the dish.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for a bubbling texture and golden-brown cheese crust.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving to enhance flavor and texture.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping chicken with shredded rotisserie chicken, turkey, or plant-based alternatives for vegetarian diets.
- Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like roasted bell peppers, zucchini, or artichoke hearts for more texture and flavor.
- Control sauce thickness by adjusting cream and broth quantities, ensuring a creamy but not overly runny consistency that coats pasta perfectly.
- Prep ahead by assembling the dish completely and refrigerating up to 24 hours before baking, making it an excellent make-ahead meal for busy weeknights.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 35 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg