The Best Easy Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Did you know that over 60% of home cooks struggle with weeknight dinner solutions? You'll want to discover this chicken pasta bake that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal. With just five components and minimal prep time, you'll create a dish that solves your dinner dilemma. Whether you're feeding a family or craving comfort food, this recipe promises to be your new go-to solution. Intrigued by the potential of a hassle-free, delicious dinner?

Recipe Highlights

• A perfect Chicken Pasta Bake requires just five ingredients: pasta, chicken, marinara sauce, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese, creating a simple yet delicious meal.
• Bake at 375°F, first covering with foil and then uncovering for the final 10 minutes to achieve a golden-brown, crispy cheese topping.
• Layer cooked pasta and diced chicken evenly in a baking dish, thoroughly coating with marinara sauce to ensure consistent flavor throughout.
• Allow the pasta bake to rest 5-10 minutes after baking, which stabilizes the sauce, improves serving consistency, and enhances overall taste.
• This versatile recipe is budget-friendly, adaptable to different pasta types, and can be easily prepared for family dinners or casual gatherings.

History

While pasta bakes might seem like a modern culinary invention, they actually have deep roots in traditional European cuisine.

You'll find that casserole-style dishes originated in Italy during the Renaissance, where resourceful cooks combined leftover ingredients into hearty, baked meals. The concept of combining pasta, protein, and cheese in a single dish evolved from rustic peasant cooking techniques.

Specifically, regions like Sicily and Lombardy developed early versions of pasta bakes, using local ingredients and slow-cooking methods.

You can trace these dishes back to the 14th century, when home cooks sought efficient ways to transform simple ingredients into filling meals.

These early recipes emphasized practicality, waste reduction, and maximizing flavor through strategic layering and baking techniques.

Recipe

Chicken pasta bake is a delightful and straightforward dish that brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table. By combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich marinara sauce, this recipe creates a satisfying meal that will please the entire family.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. With just five ingredients and minimal preparation time, you can have a delicious, hearty meal on the table in less than an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked, diced chicken
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions, ensuring you cook it slightly less than al dente since it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta and set aside.

In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, and marinara sauce, stirring gently to ensure even coating. Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the pasta mixture.

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.

For best results, let the chicken pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven. This allows the sauce to thicken and makes serving easier. You can also prepare this dish ahead of time and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking, though you may need to add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.

Cooking Steps

You'll start by preparing boiling water and cooking your penne pasta until it's just shy of fully done, which helps prevent overcooking during the baking process.

Next, you'll combine the al dente pasta with diced chicken and marinara sauce in a large baking dish, ensuring everything is evenly coated for maximum flavor distribution.

Finally, you'll generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top, creating a golden, bubbly crust that'll transform your simple ingredients into a comforting, restaurant-worthy meal.

Step 1. Prepare Boiling Water

First things first, grab a large pot and fill it with approximately 4-6 quarts of cold water for your pound of penne pasta.

Position the pot on your stovetop, setting the burner to high heat. Watch for large, rolling bubbles that indicate the water's ready for pasta.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of kosher salt directly into the water, which will season your pasta from the inside out during cooking. The salt concentration should be noticeable but not overwhelming—think seawater-like.

Stir briefly to dissolve the salt, ensuring even distribution. Keep the pot uncovered to prevent boiling over, and maintain a consistent, vigorous boil.

Your water's temperature and salinity are crucial for perfectly cooked pasta that's flavorful and properly textured.

Step 2. Combine Pasta and Chicken

Once your pasta has been perfectly cooked and drained, it's time to bring the dish together in a harmonious blend of flavors and textures.

Grab your large baking dish and spread the pasta evenly across the bottom, creating a uniform base for your chicken. Take your pre-cooked, diced chicken and distribute it carefully over the pasta, ensuring each bite will have a balanced chicken-to-pasta ratio.

Pour the marinara sauce over the mixture, using a spatula to gently toss and coat every piece of pasta and chicken. Your goal is a well-integrated, saucy foundation that'll create a deliciously moist pasta bake.

Don't worry about being too precise—a rustic approach works perfectly here, letting the ingredients mingle naturally before the cheesy topping transforms everything into a bubbling, irresistible meal.

Step 3. Sprinkle Cheese Over Pasta

A golden cascade of mozzarella and Parmesan transforms your pasta bake from simple casserole to culinary masterpiece.

You'll want to distribute the cheese evenly, creating a blanket of melty goodness across the entire dish. Start by sprinkling 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese in a uniform layer, ensuring complete coverage of the pasta and chicken mixture.

Next, dust the top with 1 cup of grated Parmesan, which will add a sharp, nutty depth to the flavor profile.

Pro tips for perfect cheese coverage:

• Use freshly grated cheese for best melting
• Aim for an even, thin layer
• Let cheese slightly overlap the dish's edges
• Don't press down; let the cheese sit naturally

The result? A beautifully bronzed, bubbling cheese crust.

Step 4. Bake Until Golden Brown

The golden-brown crust of a perfectly baked chicken pasta dish whispers promises of culinary delight.

You'll want to bake your pasta at 375°F, first covering the dish with foil for 20 minutes to help ingredients meld together. Remove the foil for the final 10 minutes, watching closely as the cheese transforms into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece. Look for these visual cues:

• Edges turning crisp and slightly darker
• Cheese melting completely
• Surface developing a uniform golden color

Keep your oven rack in the center position for even heat distribution.

The goal is a beautifully caramelized top that's crisp, not burnt. If the cheese browns too quickly, tent the dish with foil to prevent overcooking. Your patience will be rewarded with a stunning, restaurant-quality finish that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 5. Let Rest Before Serving

After pulling your golden-brown chicken pasta bake from the oven, you'll want to exercise some kitchen patience before serving.

Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes on a heat-resistant surface, allowing the bubbling cheese to settle and the sauce to thicken naturally. This resting period helps the layers meld together, preventing a watery consistency and making portioning easier.

During this time, the internal temperature will stabilize, creating a more cohesive and appetizing dish. Watch for visual cues: the sauce should look less liquidy, and the cheese will start to set.

Use this brief waiting interval to prepare side dishes, set the table, or simply let the enticing aroma fill your kitchen. Your patience will be rewarded with a perfectly textured, easy-to-serve pasta bake.

Final Thoughts

Every home cook's dream lies in discovering foolproof, delicious meals that bring comfort and satisfaction to the dinner table.

This chicken pasta bake is precisely that kind of recipe—simple yet impressive, adaptable to your pantry's contents, and guaranteed to please even picky eaters.

You'll find that its magic lies in its straightforward preparation and crowd-pleasing results.

Whether you're cooking for family or prepping a meal for friends, this dish offers reliable deliciousness with minimal effort.

Consider making extra to enjoy leftovers, as the flavors meld beautifully overnight.

Pro tip: Always let the bake rest after cooking, which allows the sauce to set and makes serving a breeze.

Master this recipe, and you'll have a go-to meal that never disappoints.