This Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake is an easy busy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! Tender chicken, pasta, and creamy pesto sauce are baked together in this delicious recipe.
If you love a great chicken dish, be sure to try Crockpot Chicken and Gravy next!
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Why you'll love this recipe
My favorite pasta combination is anything combined with spinach, ike the Monterey Chicken Pasta Bake. So here's another to add to the list! This is a family-friendly meal that is great for busy weeknights!
You can never go wrong with pesto and pasta together, right? You'll love this simple pasta dish too!!
Ingredients/variations
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- penne pasta - I used regular pasta, but you can use whole wheat pasta, chickpea pasta or gluten free pasta, really use your preference.
- Alfredo sauce - you know me, I use a shortcut of a premade sauce, but you can always use the homemade sauce (drooling!!!) linked here.
- premade basil pesto
- cooked chicken - This recipe is a great way to use up a leftover rotisserie chicken. If you have raw chicken on hand, poach or bake it first. Substitute Italian sausage for the chicken - delicious!
- fresh spinach - in a pinch you can use frozen, no need to run to the store!
- sun dried tomatoes - Roasted cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes are a great replacement for sundried tomatoes if you are in a pinch or if your family doesn't like them.
- fresh mozzarella balls - you could also use shredded mozzarella cheese.
- parmesan cheese
A cup of Ricotta cheese stirred in with the pasta is an excellent addition to the casserole.
Instructions
This is a photo overview of the instructions. For the complete written directions, just scroll down to the bottom! They are in the recipe card.
Equipment
- casserole dish
- large pot
- aluminum foil
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FAQ's
It really depends on the casserole that you are making. For a casserole like this one, I recommend that you bake it covered or it could dry out.
To brown the cheese remove the foil from the top and place it under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Be sure to watch it closely as it can burn quickly.
Yes, just assemble the casserole, cover it with foil and store it in the fridge until you are ready to bake. Since it will be cooked when you are ready to bake it, you will need to add an extra five minutes to the baking time.
Pesto is one of the easiest pasta sauces to make! (Though we're using store-bought here) It contains pine nuts, olive oil, fresh basil and parmesan cheese. It's rich and flavorful without being heavy.
Top Tip
Cook the pasta al dente according to the package directions. Don't forget to save some of the pasta water.
- I like to use whole wheat pasta because I think it adds to the flavor of this pesto chicken pasta bake. But, you can use any type of pasta that you have on hand.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.
Freezer - You can freeze this pesto chicken bake wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to three months.
Reheat - Reheat single servings in the microwave at 50% power for about two minutes. Or multiple servings in the oven at 350 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.
Related recipes
- If you love creamy chicken casserole recipes like this chicken pesto pasta bake recipe, then you may also want to give this Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel a try or the Crock Pot Chicken and Spaghetti. Easy recipes full of flavor and always a winner with the whole family.
- This Ultimate Chicken Noodle Casserole is an easy dinner that is loaded with comforting flavors. If you are looking for a hearty meal that will warm you up from the inside out. Then this is the recipe you will want to make next.
- Grab the easy ingredients and make the Chicken and Potato Bake. It's easy and delicious!
- The next time you need some inspiration for a delicious dinner that's not only tasty but also easy to make, look no further than this Creamy Chicken and Potato Bake. The ingredients are easy to find at the grocery store, yet they're flavorful.
Check out this for a ton more Easy Chicken Casserole Recipes!
Serve with
- I love to serve a comfort food meal like this one with a vegetable side dish like this Pan Roasted Vegetable recipe. It's filled with tender vegetables, and flavorful seasonings and only takes about 15 minutes to make.
- You can never go wrong with a freshly baked bread side like these Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough. Your family will rave about these soft and fluffy rolls.
- If you are in the mood for something sweet after a rich meal like this one, make No Bake Pumpkin Pie or Homemade Fudge for dessert! Both are sweet and creamy and you don't even have to turn on the oven to make either recipe!
Still looking for ideas? Check out what to serve with pasta bake here!
What do you think? Isn't this yummy and simple? I hope you really enjoyed the recipe. I'd sure appreciate it if you took a moment to leave a comment below!
Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- ¾ pound penne pasta cooked to al dente and drained well
- 28 ounces Alfredo sauce
- ¼ cup pesto sauce
- 2-4 cups cooked chicken diced
- 4 cups spinach roughly chopped
- ½ cup sun dried tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls drained, cut into quarters
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray casserole dish with non stick cooking spray, set aside.
- Cook the pasta to al dente, drain well set aside. Reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- In a large bowl combine Alfredo Sauce, pesto, diced chicken, sun dried tomatoes, cheese and spinach.
- Now add the pasta. If it's not loose enough add about a ¼ cup of the reserved pasta water - you want it to be saucy, not dry. Mix again.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and place in preheated oven for 30 minutes or the casserole is hot and bubbly. Remove foil and place under broiler for two minutes to brown cheese if desired.
Camden says
I absolutely love pesto! I've been looking for a new lunch recipe for the week and this pesto pasta bake sounds incredible for meal prep.
Bowl Me Over says
Fantastic. Enjoy the pasta bake Camden!
Lois says
Any chicken casserole is great and this looks wonderful. Will be doing it this week. I’m thinking I could substitute turkey with what is left over. Sounds great.
Sam says
The chicken pesto pasta bake looks delicious. I love everything that's in it and I'm sure my family will too. I'm adding it to next week's menu!
Sharon says
Pesto makes everything so much tastier. I am making this pesto pasta bake tonight!
Debbie says
We love baked pasta dishes in my house. This pesto pasta bake is going to be a huge hit!
Cynthia says
I love anything pesto. So your chicken pesto pasta bake is right up my alley. I used to make one that was similar when my oldest was little but she loves pesto sauce and would eat it on anything (weird, right?) We made our own just for her and would add it to a dish similar to this one.
Bowl Me Over says
That's awesome and great memories too, thanks for sharing Cynthia!
Kristen says
You chicken pesto pasta bake looks so amazing! Am I crazy, or wouldn't this be yummy as a wrap, too?! (Minus the pasta!).
Bowl Me Over says
Mmmmm! That sounds AMAZING! I'm liking the way you think Kristen - enjoy!
One Crazy House says
I'm a sucker for a 40-minute meal that looks like it came from a restaurant but was easy to make! Thank you for this yummy pesto pasta bake recipe! I can't wait to try it!
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful! I hope you really enjoy the recipe!!
Alyssa says
This chicken pesto pasta bake looks delicious. My mom makes something similar. I like the crispiness from baking it, and sometimes when I use alfredo sauce it becomes to rich for me so this will be perfect!
Bowl Me Over says
Ooh, great tip Alyssa, I love that! It is a rich casserole. I'm going to try it with the alfredo sauce. Thank you!
Brittany says
I love how easy this chicken pesto pasta bake is to put together. I made it earlier in the day so it was ready to pop in the oven for dinnertime. It was such a stress reliever not having to worry about prepping food after a long day!