Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, a no-fuss weeknight dinner that’s incredibly satisfying and remarkably simple to prepare. This recipe is your secret weapon for busy evenings when you crave a delicious, homemade meal without spending hours in the kitchen.
Key Ingredients for Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 12 ounces uncooked pasta (such as penne, rotini, or elbow macaroni)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake:
This Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a dream for busy cooks, delivering pure comfort in every bite. Its magic lies in its straightforward assembly, rich, creamy texture, and a flavor profile that’s universally loved. With minimal effort, you’ll create a meal that feels both indulgent and incredibly satisfying. Preparation time is approximately 15 minutes, with a baking time of about 25-30 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving any drippings behind.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add the chopped onion to the same skillet (with the chicken drippings if any remain) and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Build the Sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Add Pasta and Chicken: Add the uncooked pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Stir everything together.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the entire mixture from the skillet into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Brown the Cheese: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake:
You’ll fall head over heels for this Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake because it’s bursting with comforting, familiar flavors that hug your taste buds. The star of the show is undoubtedly the incredibly gooey, melted cheese combined with tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, all enveloped in a rich, savory tomato sauce. This dish is a budget-friendly marvel, significantly cutting down on your grocery bill compared to takeout or restaurant versions, while delivering a higher quality, home-cooked meal. It’s a dish that’s as delightful as a classic lasagna but infinitely easier and quicker to whip up, making it perfect for any night of the week.
Imagine the delight of pulling this bubbling, golden-brown creation from your oven, the aroma filling your kitchen and promising pure deliciousness. It’s the kind of meal that brings smiles to everyone’s faces, from picky eaters to seasoned foodies. So go ahead, gather your ingredients, and experience the joy of creating this simple yet extraordinary Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake in your own home!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly storing and reheating your Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake ensures it remains a delicious meal even after the first night.
- Refrigeration: Once cooled to room temperature, cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer individual portions into airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, you can freeze the pasta bake. If freezing the entire dish, cool completely, cover tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. For individual portions, freeze in airtight, freezer-safe containers.
- Reheating (Oven): To reheat from the refrigerator, cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through. For a crispier topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes.
- Reheating (Microwave): Individual portions can be reheated in the microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through.
- Reheating from Frozen: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above. Alternatively, you can bake directly from frozen if needed, but it will require a longer baking time (approximately 45-60 minutes, covered, then uncovered for the last 10-15 minutes).
Final Thoughts:
This Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a testament to how simple ingredients can create an incredibly comforting and delicious meal. It’s the perfect go-to for busy weeknights or any time you need a hug in a bowl. Give it a try and discover your new favorite family dinner!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Easy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little olive oil.
- Heat the tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside, leaving any drippings behind.1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Add the chopped onion to the same skillet (with the chicken drippings if any remain) and cook over medium heat until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth into the skillet with the onions and garlic. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat and let it cook for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the uncooked pasta directly into the simmering sauce. Stir well to ensure all the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Return the cooked chicken pieces to the skillet. Stir everything together.12 ounces uncooked pasta, 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Pour the entire mixture from the skillet into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Let the pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.Fresh parsley