Welcome to our kitchen, where we’re about to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your hunger cravings. Today, we’re thrilled to share with you our Easy Chicken Pasta Bake recipe, a delightful dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
Unveiling the Ingredients
Let’s begin our culinary adventure by exploring the key ingredients that make our Easy Chicken Pasta Bake a true winner:
- Chicken Breast (2 large): Tender chicken breast serves as the star protein in this dish, adding flavor and texture to every bite.
- Penne Pasta (12 oz): Penne pasta, with its hollow tube shape, is the perfect choice for capturing the rich and creamy sauce.
- Tomato Passata (2 cups): Tomato passata provides the base for our flavorful sauce, delivering a burst of tangy sweetness.
- Mozzarella Cheese (1 cup, shredded): Creamy mozzarella cheese melts beautifully over the pasta bake, creating a gooey and indulgent topping.
- Parmesan Cheese (1/2 cup, grated): Grated Parmesan cheese adds a nutty and salty flavor to the dish, enhancing its overall richness.
- Garlic (3 cloves, minced): Fresh garlic cloves infuse the sauce with aromatic flavor, complementing the other ingredients perfectly.
- Fresh Basil (1/4 cup, chopped): Chopped fresh basil leaves lend a refreshing herbal note to the dish, elevating its freshness.
- Olive Oil (2 tbsp): Extra virgin olive oil adds depth and richness to the sauce, enhancing its overall complexity.
- Salt and Pepper (to taste): Seasonings such as salt and pepper bring balance and depth of flavor to the dish, ensuring every bite is delicious.
Crafting the Perfect Easy Chicken Pasta Bake
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the cooking process and create a mouthwatering masterpiece:
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) and greasing a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cooking the Pasta: Follow the instructions on the package to boil the penne until it’s al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper on the sides. Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, place the chicken in the skillet. Allow it to cook until each side is nicely golden and the chicken is thoroughly cooked, typically taking about 6-7 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet and cool slightly before shredding or chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Creating the Sauce: Use the same skillet to sauté minced garlic until it emits a pleasant aroma, roughly 1 minute. Pour in the tomato passata and chopped fresh basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to simmer for 5-7 minutes to enhance the blend of flavors.
- Assemble the Pasta Bake: In the greased baking dish, layer the cooked penne pasta, shredded/chopped chicken, and tomato sauce. Sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the edges are golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once baked, remove the Easy Chicken Pasta Bake from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. If you like, embellish with extra fresh basil leaves before serving. Serve hot and enjoy a comforting and delicious meal with your loved ones.
Conclusion
With its irresistible combination of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and cheesy goodness, our Easy Chicken Pasta Bake is sure to become a family favorite in no time. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or simply craving a hearty and satisfying meal, this recipe has you covered.
So why wait? Gather your ingredients, follow our simple instructions, and treat yourself to a delightful culinary experience with our Easy Chicken Pasta Bake recipe.