Description
A simple, cheesy, and creamy baked pasta dish featuring chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound dried penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the cream cheese until it melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded chicken, Parmesan cheese, and spinach until the spinach wilts.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the sauce mixture until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
- Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken to save preparation time.
- For a richer flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, draining off most of the oil before chopping.
- If the sauce seems too thick after adding the pasta, add a splash more chicken broth or milk.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 35
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 12
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 50
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 38
- Cholesterol: 110