Description
This creamy cheesy spinach chicken pasta bake is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, fresh spinach, and a rich blend of cream cheese and cheddar. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines the hearty goodness of pasta with a luscious cheesy sauce baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Vegetables
- 2 cups Diced Chicken Breast (Boneless, skinless, diced into bite-sized pieces)
- 4 cups Fresh Spinach (Packed with vitamins and minerals)
- 3 cloves Minced Garlic (Adds aromatic flavors)
- 1 medium Diced Onion (Enhances flavor profile)
Pasta and Dairy
- 12 ounces Pasta (Use penne or rotini)
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese (For a rich, creamy texture)
- 2 cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese (For a sharp, tangy flavor)
Liquids and Seasonings
- 1 cup Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (Adds moisture and depth)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (For sautéing)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning (Brings an herbal note)
- Salt and Pepper (To taste, to enhance flavors)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onions: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add Garlic: Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for an additional minute to release aromatic flavors.
- Cook Chicken: Add diced chicken to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the chicken is no longer pink and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Wilt Spinach: Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and stir until wilted, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Make Creamy Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine cream cheese and chicken broth. Whisk them together until smooth and creamy.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken and spinach mixture. Pour the creamy sauce over everything and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and transfer the pasta mixture evenly into it.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the pasta in the baking dish.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Use penne or rotini pasta for the best texture and sauce cling.
- Adjust salt according to your taste, especially if using salted broth.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen spinach; just be sure to drain excess water.
- For a spicier kick, add red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just add a few extra minutes to baking time if baking from cold.
