Description
Nothing beats a weeknight dinner like pesto chicken pasta bake that comes together so quickly in one pan. Melted cheese, tender chicken, and herby pesto sauce make this comforting meal something your whole family will devour in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 250 grams Bowtie Pasta
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 cups Baby Spinach Leaves
- 1 cup Grated Cheese
Finishing/Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 cup Cream for Cooking
- ½ cup Pesto
Instructions
- Crank your oven to 350°F and ensure the rack sits in the center position for even heating.
- Salt a large pot of water and bring to a rolling boil. Drop 8 ounces of bowtie pasta into the water, cooking exactly 8-9 minutes until al dente.
- Drain the pasta in a colander, carefully reserving ½ cup of starchy cooking liquid before discarding remaining water.
- Dice 2 cups of cooked chicken into bite-sized, uniform chunks that will distribute evenly through the dish.
- Return the empty pasta pot to the stovetop. Pour 1 cup of cream into the pot, stirring in 2 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves.
- Add the chopped chicken, ½ cup of pesto, and ¾ cup of grated cheese to the pot. Season with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly, incorporating the reserved pasta water to create a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the mixture, ensuring every pasta piece gets coated with the rich sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle the remaining ¼ cup of cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the cheese turns golden and the edges bubble slightly.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set.
Notes
- Opt for fresh, high-quality pesto to elevate the pasta’s flavor and ensure a vibrant, aromatic dish.
- When chopping chicken, aim for uniform small pieces to guarantee even distribution and consistent texture throughout the baking dish.
- Use full-fat cooking cream for a richer, more luxurious sauce that coats the pasta beautifully and prevents drying out during baking.
- For gluten-free adaptation, swap regular bowtie pasta with gluten-free pasta and verify your pesto is also gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 482 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg