Description
A rich and comforting creamy pasta dish loaded with flavor, perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10.5 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10.5 ounces total), diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3.5 ounces baby spinach (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook your pasta for 2 minutes less than what the package suggests until just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté until cooked through and lightly golden, about 5–6 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and whole milk, bringing it to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Mix in basil pesto and grated Parmesan cheese, stirring until smooth and melted.
- Add the cooked chicken, drained pasta, and spinach (if using) to the sauce, tossing until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and extra grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a vegetarian option, swap chicken for shrimp or sautéed mushrooms. You can also use different cheeses for a unique flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken pasta, weeknight dinner, family favorite