Description
This creamy chicken and spinach pasta bake combines tender chicken, pasta, fresh spinach, and a rich homemade cream sauce baked until bubbly and golden. It is an easy, comforting dinner perfect for busy weeknights and family meals.
Ingredients
12 ounces pasta penne or fusilli
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
3 cloves garlic minced
2 cups fresh spinach roughly chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
½ cup cooking cream
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon paprika
½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish
2. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente then drain
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook chicken with seasonings until golden
4. Add garlic and cook briefly then add spinach until wilted
5. Remove chicken mixture and set aside
6. Melt butter in the same skillet and whisk in flour
7. Slowly whisk in milk then add cooking cream and simmer until thick
8. Stir in half of the cheeses until smooth
9. Combine pasta chicken mixture and sauce
10. Transfer to baking dish and top with remaining cheese
11. Bake uncovered until bubbly and lightly golden
12. Rest for five minutes before serving
Notes
Use short pasta shapes for best results
Fresh spinach provides the best texture
Let the bake rest before serving so the sauce sets
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 620
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 34
- Cholesterol: 95