Chicken Pasta Bake

Pasta, chicken and a variety of veggies baked in a creamy tomato sauce with a tasty cheesy topping.

Course Main Meal

Cuisine Western

Keyword Chicken Pasta Bake, Pasta Bake

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings

Calories 592kcal

Author Amy Whiteford

Equipment

Large Frying Pan (or large saucepan)
Large Baking Dish

Ingredients

400g (14 oz) Dried Rigatoni Pasta
1 tbsp Olive Oil
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 tsp Garlic, minced
1 Red Capsicum (Bell Pepper), finely chopped
2 tbsp Tomato Paste (Puree)
1 tsp Dried Oregano
400g (14oz) Canned Chopped Tomatoes
250ml (1 cup) Chicken Stock
125ml (½ cup) Double Cream (thickened cream)
120g (4.2 oz) Spinach Leaves
380g (3 cups) Cooked Shredded Chicken *See notes if you would prefer measurements and cooking instructions for using raw chicken.
75g (½ cup) Peas
80g (½ cup) Mozzarella, grated
80g (½ cup) Cheddar, grated

Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 190C/ 375F
Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Add pasta and cook per packet directions MINUS 1 minute, drain.
In a large frying pan, or saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the garlic and capsicum (bell pepper) and gently saute until onion is translucent (around 3 mins.) Add the tomato paste and dried oregano and stir for a further minute.
Add the chopped tomatoes and chicken stock and bring to a gentle bubble. Then stir in the double cream. Add the spinach and continue to stir until the spinach has wilted. Taste and season accordingly. (do not season for babies and young children)
Add the chicken, cooked pasta and peas. Gently stir to combine and then transfer to a large baking dish.
Top with the grated mozzarella and cheddar. Place in the oven for 20-25 minutes. The dish should be hot throughout and the cheese golden and bubbly.

Notes

PASTA: Rigatoni is used but you can substitute with most pasta shapes (e.g penne, fusilli, shells etc)

CHICKEN: This recipe uses cooked shredded chicken. If you prefer the texture of chicken pieces or only have raw chicken available then chop two large (or 3 smaller) raw chicken breasts into bite sized pieces. Before cooking the sauce, saute the chicken pieces in a little olive oil over medium heat until sealed, around 5 mins. Remove from the pan and add back into the dish at the same point you add the pasta.

STOCK: I used chicken stock but you can also use vegetable stock. If serving a baby make sure to use homemade stock to reduce sodium levels. Alternatively you can replace with a second can of chopped tomatoes.

CHEESE: A mix of mozzarella and mature cheddar is used for the topping. Mozarella melts really well and has that nice stretch, and isn't as oily. You can replace the cheddar with other cheeses such as Gruyere, Monterey Jack, Colby, Provolone & Tasty. A little grated parmesan will also add good flavour. Bee mindful of sodium content when cooking for babies / young children. You may wish to reduce the cheese or serve a portion with less cheese topping.

Refrigeration: This chicken pasta bake can be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Freezing: Assemble and allow to cool. Do not bake, just cover and freeze it.

Nutritional Information is a ROUGH guide only, calculated using an online nutrition calculator.

Nutrition