Ziti Chicken Casserole
Creamy, cheesy, and bursting with vibrant Italian flavors, this Ziti Chicken Casserole is the ultimate comfort food dish that'll have everyone coming back for seconds! Tender chunks of seasoned chicken are smothered in a rich, aromatic tomato sauce infused with garlic, onions, and Italian herbs, then layered with perfectly cooked ziti pasta and luscious ricotta cheese. Topped with melty mozzarella, nutty Parmesan, and fresh basil, this baked pasta casserole achieves that golden, bubbly perfection in the oven. With a prep time of just 20 minutes, it's an easy, family-friendly dinner that feels fancy enough for guests. Perfect for weeknights or cozy gatherings, this one-pan wonder delivers hearty flavors in every bite! Keywords: Ziti Chicken Casserole, baked pasta recipe, Italian comfort food, easy dinner idea.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz ziti pasta
- 2 pieces chicken breasts (boneless, skinless)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 medium onion (diced)
- 28 oz crushed tomatoes
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 0.5 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tbsp fresh basil (chopped)
- 4 cups water
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the ziti pasta for 2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend (it will finish cooking in the casserole). Drain and set aside.
Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season lightly with salt and pepper.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes.
Add the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine and let the sauce simmer for 5 minutes.
Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and stir to coat. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese.
In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, spread a layer of the tomato-chicken sauce to cover the bottom.
Add half of the cooked ziti pasta in an even layer. Top with half of the ricotta mixture, spreading it gently over the pasta. Cover with half of the remaining sauce.
Repeat the layers: the remaining ziti pasta, ricotta mixture, and sauce.
Sprinkle the top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2904 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 134.2 g | 172% | |
| Saturated Fat | 64.3 g | 322% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 583 mg | 194% | |
| Sodium | 5040 mg | 219% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 186.6 g | 68% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.8 g | 71% | |
| Total Sugars | 43.4 g | ||
| Protein | 237.5 g | 475% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.3 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 2736 mg | 210% | |
| Iron | 11.3 mg | 63% | |
| Potassium | 3979 mg | 85% | |
*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.
