Hearty pasta bake featuring tender chicken, tomato sauce, and a golden mozzarella and Parmesan topping.
# Ingredient list:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
→ Pasta
05 - 14 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
→ Sauce
06 - 24 oz marinara or tomato-basil pasta sauce
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Cheese
08 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
→ For Serving & Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional)
12 - Olive oil spray
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Season chicken breasts evenly with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
04 - Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Transfer to a board, let cool briefly, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
05 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta, diced chicken, marinara sauce, minced garlic, and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese until well blended.
06 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, followed by the Italian-style breadcrumbs.
07 - Lightly spray the breadcrumb topping with olive oil to promote browning.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until sauce bubbles and topping is golden brown.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley if desired.
