This delicious Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love! Switch up the chicken and cheese or load it with whatever veggies you have lying around. It’s a super versatile recipe that’s perfect for cleaning out the fridge and makes sure no leftovers go to waste!
Ingredients Breakdown
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 14 ounces Italian-style diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
How to Make Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake
Okay, let’s get cooking! Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a large baking dish.
Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Sauté the Aromatics: Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the chopped onion, and you’re going to sauté for 2-3 minutes until it’s softened and turns translucent.
Add the Chicken: Toss in the chopped cooked chicken and let it cook for another 2 minutes. This helps everything meld together nicely before the next step.
In with the Veggies: Add your can of Italian-style diced tomatoes (with juices) and spinach. Stir it all together until the spinach wilts down, about 3-4 minutes. The smell? Oh my goodness, so good!
Create the Creamy Base: Reduce the heat to low and blend in the softened cream cheese. Stir constantly for a minute or so until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth.
Combine Everything: Fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every bite is coated with that yummy, creamy sauce. I mean, who wouldn’t want to dive right in at this stage?
Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour that pasta mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
Cheese, Please! Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously over the top. Can you say cheesy goodness?
Bake it Up: Pop the dish in the oven, uncovered, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is all bubbly and slightly golden. You’ll want to watch this part, everyone’s going to come running at the first whiff of that deliciousness!
Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool for a few minutes, and then serve warm, watch everyone run for seconds!
If you loved this Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake, be sure to check out my Delicious Garlic Parmesan Chicken, or my Baked Honey Glazed Chicken Drumsticks!
Why This Recipe Works
Quick & Easy
This dish comes together in under 30 minutes! Perfect for those busy weeknights when you’re juggling kids, homework, and everything else that comes with family life.
One-Pot Wonder
It really comes together all in one pot! Seriously, the cleanup is a breeze, and you get all that amazing flavor without a million dishes to wash.
Budget-Friendly
Using affordable, everyday ingredients makes this dish not just easy, but super budget-friendly too! You can easily make it with base pantry items and whatever fresh or frozen veggies you have on hand.
Customizable
This pasta bake is totally customizable! Use whatever ingredients you have because it’s a great way to clean out the fridge. Got leftover veggies? Toss them in!
Comfort Food at Its Best
Loaded with tons of flavor and creaminess, this Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake is ultimate comfort food that will warm you from the inside out. Trust me, it’s the kind of meal that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds!
Serving & Storage Tips
How to Serve This
This Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake is delightful on its own, but you can totally serve it with a light salad or some crusty bread to make it even more filling. Pair it with a nice glass of wine, and you’re set for an incredible evening!
Storing Leftovers
This baked goodness will keep in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. Or if you want to keep it longer, you can freeze it!
Reheating Instructions
To reheat, simply microwave individual portions or cover with foil and warm it in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
Freezer Friendly?
Absolutely! You can freeze this Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake for up to 3 months. Just make sure to store it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
And there you have it! A quick and easy Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake that’s bound to become a staple at your dinner table. Trust me, your family will love it! It’s warm, comforting, and totally customizable to suit your tastes.
Get in the kitchen and give this a try, you won’t regret it! For more recipes, Follow us on Pinterest
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Quick and Easy Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This delicious Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake comes together in about 30 minutes and is made all in one pot for a quick and easy weeknight dinner that your family will love!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 3 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 10 ounces fresh spinach
- 14 ounces Italian-style diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly oil a large baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Toss in the chopped cooked chicken and let it cook for another 2 minutes.
- Add the canned Italian-style diced tomatoes (with juices) and spinach, stirring until the spinach wilts down, about 3-4 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and blend in the softened cream cheese, stirring until creamy and smooth.
- Fold the cooked pasta into the skillet, ensuring every bite is coated with the creamy sauce.
- Pour the pasta mixture evenly into your prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella generously over the top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and lightly golden.
- Let it cool for a few minutes, then serve warm.
Notes
You can customize the recipe with different meats, cheeses, or vegetables based on your preference.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 75mg