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Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake - Comforting, Creamy, and Crowd-Pleasing

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz (340 g) short pasta (penne, rotini, or rigatoni)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie works great)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil or unsalted butter
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups marinara or tomato passata (good-quality)
  • 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar (for extra melt and flavor)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
  • Optional add-ins: 1 cup baby spinach, 1 cup sautéed mushrooms, 1 cup steamed broccoli, or roasted red peppers

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Cook the pasta: Boil in well-salted water until just shy of al dente. Drain and set aside. It will finish in the oven.
  3. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook 3–4 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Build the sauce: Pour in marinara and chicken broth. Stir in cream, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes. Simmer 5 minutes to thicken slightly. Season with salt and pepper.
  5. Add chicken and extras: Fold in the cooked chicken. If using spinach or veggies, add them now. Simmer 1–2 minutes so everything is coated and hot.
  6. Combine with pasta: Toss pasta with the sauce until evenly coated. Taste and adjust seasoning. The mixture should be saucy—this keeps the bake from drying out.
  7. Layer the cheese: Transfer to the baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan evenly over the top. For best browning, keep Parmesan on top.
  8. Bake: Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling. For a deeper golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
  9. Rest and serve: Let it rest 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil. Serve warm.