Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

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  • 6
  • Average
  • 20 mins
  • Average budget

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces dry pasta (I used a combination of rotini, farfalle and penne. Any similar size would work.)
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 ounces chive and onion cream cheese
  • 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
  • 1 cup whole milk, heavy cream or half-and-half (I used half-and-half)
  • 1/2 cup shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Pinch crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 - 1 1/2 cups chopped fresh spinach
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
  • 1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, cut into large chunks (I used grape tomatoes sliced in half)
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat a medium casserole dish with non-stick spray. (Mine was a 10" round, but a 9 x 13 would work fine.)

Step 2

Cook pasta in salted, boiling water to al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

While pasta is cooking, heat butter in a medium saute pan set to medium heat. Add in the onion and garlic. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes to slightly soften veggies. Do not brown.

Step 4

Add in cream cheese and stir to melt. Reduce heat to low. Stir in sour cream, milk, Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes (if using). Stir until everything is well-combined and melted. Turn off heat.

Step 5

Combine the pasta, chicken, spinach and tomatoes in a large bowl. Add in the sauce and gently stir to coat.

Step 6

Pour into the prepared baking dish. (I drizzled in a little more half-and-half over the mixture once it was in the baking dish because it looked a little dry to me.) Top with the remaining mozzarella.

Step 7

Bake uncovered for about 20 -25 minutes ... or until casserole is bubbly and beginning to brown. Top with basil or parsley for garnish.

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In order for the pasta bake to not dry out, I place the baking dish on a sheet pan and add 1 - 2 cups of very hot water to the sheet pan once in the oven. This will create steam during the baking process and will help to keep everything moist.

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