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Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake

A rich baked pasta with chicken, mushrooms, and rigatoni in a creamy tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: British
Calories: 483

Ingredients
  

  • 10 oz dry rigatoni or other short pasta
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 lb chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 medium onion finely diced
  • 0.5 lb mushrooms sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 0.5 cup low-sodium chicken stock
  • 2 cup tomato sauce (passata)
  • 6 fresh basil leaves roughly torn, 6-8 leaves
  • 1 cup half and half single cream
  • 1 cup Parmesan freshly grated, divided
  • 2 cup fresh spinach roughly torn
  • 2 balls fresh light mozzarella roughly torn
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Large deep pan or Dutch oven
  • Baking dish

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Tear the mozzarella and leave it on a piece of kitchen paper to drain while you make the sauce.
  2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and salt it generously. Cook the rigatoni for 2 minutes less than the package instructions, then drain and set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large, deep pan over medium heat. Add the chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook for 5-6 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
  4. Add the onion and mushrooms to the same pan and cook for 6-7 minutes over medium heat, until the mushrooms start to color.
  5. Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then add the tomato paste and cook for 1 minute more, until it darkens slightly.
  6. Pour in the chicken stock and tomato sauce, add the torn basil, and simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  7. Lower the heat, stir in the half and half and a third of the Parmesan, then add the spinach and cook for 1-2 minutes until wilted. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and season to taste.
  8. Add the drained rigatoni to the pan and toss until everything is well coated.
  9. Transfer to a baking dish. Scatter the torn mozzarella and remaining Parmesan evenly over the top.
  10. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, until bubbling and golden at the edges. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave in short bursts, or cover with foil and reheat in the oven until piping hot. A splash of milk when reheating helps restore the creamy texture.