This irresistible baked penne pasta dish is loaded with flavor and gooey melted cheese, making it an instant family favorite. It features a perfect balance of chicken, pasta, and cheese, which is sure to satisfy your cravings for pasta tonight.
Cheesy Chicken Penne Pasta Bake Recipe
A luxurious Cheesy Chicken Penne Pasta Bake recipe that pairs chicken and penne pasta with a decadent mozzarella cheese sauce.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces Penne Pasta, dried
- 2 whole Chicken Breasts, cooked and shredded
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Flour, all-purpose
- 1 ½ cups Milk
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup Cherry Tomatoes, whole
- 6 ounces Tomato Paste
- 1 teaspoon Basil, dried
- 1 teaspoon Oregano, dried
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
- Fresh Basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat an oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the flour to the skillet and stir continuously for about 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid any lumps. Continue cooking and whisking until the sauce thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the shredded mozzarella cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, tomatoes, tomato paste, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked and shredded chicken to the skillet. Stir until the chicken is well coated with the sauce.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to coat the pasta evenly with the chicken and cheese sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbling.
- Remove the penne pasta dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle fresh basil over the top to garnish it.
- Serve the cheesy chicken penne pasta bake hot and enjoy!
EQUIPMENT
Notes
- Feel free to add more spices (such as crushed red pepper flakes) to enhance the flavor of your chicken penne pasta bake.
- Add toasted breadcrumbs on top of the dish if you want a crunchy element.
Nutrition Estimate
Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 35g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 688mg | Potassium: 540mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 487IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 1mg
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If you like this post, then we definitely recommend checking out our Creamy Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake post.