Chicken Spinach Pasta Casserole
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Chicken Spinach Pasta Casserole, a creamy, cheesy dish that's as flavorful as it is satisfying. Featuring tender slices of seared chicken breast, perfectly al dente penne pasta, and vibrant baby spinach, all enveloped in a rich sauce made from cream cheese, heavy cream, and parmesan. Topped with a golden, bubbly layer of mozzarella, this casserole comes together in under an hour, making it a fantastic weeknight dinner or meal-prep favorite. With fragrant garlic, Italian seasoning, and gooey melted cheese in every bite, it's a hearty crowd-pleaser that pairs perfectly with a fresh green salad or a slice of crusty garlic bread. This easy-to-make baked pasta dish is everything you love about comfort food, all in one pan!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 300 grams uncooked penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 pieces garlic cloves, minced
- 200 grams baby spinach leaves
- 120 grams cream cheese, softened
- 250 milliliters heavy cream
- 100 grams parmesan cheese, grated
- 200 grams mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, then sear them on both sides until golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the baby spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Reduce the heat to low and stir in the softened cream cheese and heavy cream. Cook until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in half of the grated parmesan cheese, and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
Combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and the creamy spinach mixture in a large mixing bowl. Mix well to coat everything evenly.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese and the remaining parmesan cheese evenly across the top.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
695 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.5 g | 52% | |
| Saturated Fat | 21.9 g | 110% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 148 mg | 49% | |
| Sodium | 997 mg | 43% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 40.2 g | 15% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.6 g | 9% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.6 g | ||
| Protein | 41.5 g | 83% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 496 mg | 38% | |
| Iron | 2.6 mg | 15% | |
| Potassium | 511 mg | 11% | |
*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.
