Chicken and Spinach Pasta Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, this Chicken and Spinach Pasta Casserole is the ultimate comfort food perfect for weeknight dinners or special gatherings. Tender penne pasta is tossed with juicy diced chicken, sautéed garlic, and fresh spinach in a luscious cream cheese and Parmesan sauce, then topped with a gooey layer of melted mozzarella. This satisfying baked dish, seasoned with Italian herbs, comes together in just under an hour and serves six people. With its perfect balance of hearty ingredients and creamy textures, this casserole is a family-friendly favorite that can also double as a make-ahead meal. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a wholesome dinner everyone will love!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz Penne pasta
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 lb Chicken breast, diced
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 5 oz Baby spinach, fresh
- 8 oz Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1 tsp Salt
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook until it is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add the fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes. Remove the skillet from heat.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the cream cheese, chicken broth, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy. Stir in the salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
Add 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese to the sauce and stir until melted and fully incorporated.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken and spinach mixture, and the creamy sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it out in an even layer.
Sprinkle the top with the shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Chicken and Spinach Pasta Casserole!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4885 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 282.2 g | 362% | |
| Saturated Fat | 148.7 g | 744% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2.7 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1152 mg | 384% | |
| Sodium | 6880 mg | 299% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 280.3 g | 102% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 16.4 g | 59% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.2 g | ||
| Protein | 284.8 g | 570% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.1 mcg | 5% | |
| Calcium | 2944 mg | 226% | |
| Iron | 23.6 mg | 131% | |
| Potassium | 3378 mg | 72% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
