Description
Delightful chicken pasta bake merges creamy textures with hearty flavors from Italian cuisine. Simple ingredients and quick preparation make this comfort dish perfect for family dinners and casual gatherings you’ll want to savor repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 onion
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) to prepare for baking.
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente, then thoroughly drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, sautéing onions and garlic until they become translucent and aromatic.
- Add chicken pieces to the skillet, seasoning generously with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs, cooking until the meat is completely white and cooked through.
- Pour marinara sauce into the skillet, allowing the mixture to simmer and blend flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Gently fold the cooked pasta into the chicken and sauce mixture, ensuring even distribution.
- Transfer the combined ingredients to a greased baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the pasta, covering the entire dish.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven, baking for 20 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden with crispy edges.
- Remove from oven, let rest for 3-5 minutes, then garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- Use low-sodium marinara sauce to control salt intake and create a healthier version of the dish.
- Swap chicken breasts with plant-based alternatives like tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian-friendly meal that maintains protein content.
- Add extra vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or zucchini to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- For a gluten-free option, replace regular pasta with zucchini noodles or gluten-free pasta without compromising taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg