Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious meal that’s easy to prepare any night of the week. Tender chicken combined with a flavorful tomato sauce, pasta, and a blend of melty cheeses makes it a family favorite. Perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers.

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 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 6-8 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 pepper. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat, and 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 cooked pasta and chicken sauce.
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 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
13. Step 13: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Tips & Variations

• Use rotisserie chicken for a quicker prep time.
• Try adding vegetables like mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers to the sauce for extra flavor and nutrition.
• Substitute part of the mozzarella with provolone or fontina for a different cheese blend.
• For a spicy kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add chopped jalapeños to the sauce.

Storage

Store leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes, or microwave in portions until hot.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use fresh or fully thawed chicken for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, thaw it completely before cooking to avoid uneven texture and ensure safety.

What pasta works best for this bake?

Short pasta shapes like penne, rotini, or rigatoni hold the sauce well and work best, but you can use your favorite pasta shape as desired.

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.5 from 70 reviews

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a flavorful tomato sauce, combined with al dente pasta and topped with a blend of melted mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a family dinner or meal prep, this baked casserole brings together rich flavors and cheesy goodness in every bite.

• Author: Ria
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: 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: Generously season the chicken cubes with salt and black pepper to enhance their flavor before cooking.
2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
3. Sauté Onion: In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and sauté over medium heat until softened, approximately 5 minutes, which builds the base flavor for the sauce.
4. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant to bring out its aroma and flavor.
5. Make Sauce: Pour in crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir in dried oregano, basil, and optional red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the sauce to a simmer, then reduce heat and let it gently simmer for 15 minutes while stirring occasionally to meld the flavors.
6. Combine Chicken and Sauce: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the tomato sauce and simmer together for an additional 5 minutes to integrate the flavors.
7. Cook Pasta: While the sauce simmers, cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well to avoid excess water in the bake.
8. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
9. Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, gently mix the cooked pasta with the chicken tomato sauce, ensuring an even coating.
10. Assemble Bake: Pour the pasta and sauce mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading evenly.
11. Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella, cheddar, and grated Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the pasta mixture to create a rich cheesy crust.
12. Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
13. Rest and Garnish: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh finish.

Notes

• For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.
• You can swap chicken breasts for thighs for juicier meat.
• Use gluten-free pasta to make it gluten free.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• Adding vegetables like bell peppers or spinach can increase nutritional value and add extra flavor.

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