Description
Mediterranean pasta bake brings together fresh herbs, tangy feta, and juicy tomatoes in a quick weeknight dinner that saves you time and satisfies your hunger. Baked until golden and bubbly, this dish delivers comfort and flavor without complicated cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 8 oz uncooked bowtie pasta
- 2 cups tomato basil pasta sauce
Vegetables and Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped onions
- 1 small zucchini, sliced
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 2 jars (6 oz each) marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
- ¼ cup sliced kalamata olives
Seasonings and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook 8 oz bowtie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set the pasta aside in a large mixing bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1 lb chicken cubes seasoned with ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook until chicken turns completely white and opaque.
- Transfer cooked chicken to the pasta bowl. Keep the skillet on medium heat.
- Sauté 1 cup chopped onions and 1 sliced zucchini in the same skillet until vegetables soften and become translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Add 2 jars of chopped artichoke hearts to the skillet. Pour in 2 cups tomato basil pasta sauce and ½ cup heavy whipping cream. Stir until ingredients are well combined.
- Pour the sauce mixture over the pasta and chicken. Gently mix everything to ensure even coating.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Scatter 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes and ¼ cup kalamata olives across the top.
- Sprinkle ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese evenly over the dish.
- Bake at 375°F for 22-25 minutes, watching for bubbling edges and slightly golden cheese.
- Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the flavor profile and add a bright, fresh touch to your pasta bake.
- For a gluten-free version, swap regular bowtie pasta with chickpea or zucchini noodles to keep the dish light and nutritious.
- When selecting chicken, opt for boneless, skinless breasts and cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking throughout the dish.
- To make this meal vegetarian, replace chicken with white beans or cubed tofu and increase the Italian seasoning for extra depth of flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg