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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

A warm, creamy, and comforting chicken pasta bake with pesto, spinach, and cheese.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 medium boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3 1/2 oz baby spinach
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
  • 10 1/2 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 7/8 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant.
  4. Add the chicken breasts and cook until no longer pink, then remove from skillet and slice.
  5. In the same skillet, add baby spinach and cook until wilted.
  6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, spinach, pesto, heavy cream, whole milk, salt, and pepper.
  7. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  8. Bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  9. Let it cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. You can also add sun-dried tomatoes or cooked mushrooms for more flavor.

  • Author: mehdilmh
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Diet: Gluten-Free (if using gluten-free pasta)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 10g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 40g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg

Keywords: pasta bake, creamy chicken, pesto pasta, comfort food, one dish meal