Table of Contents

Easy Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake: Your Ultimate Comfort Food Dinner

Searching for a delectable, family-friendly meal that brings the comforting flavors of Italy right to your dinner table without all the fuss? Look no further than this incredible Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake! This recipe is a true weeknight hero, combining tender chicken, nutrient-rich spinach, and a creamy, cheesy sauce with your favorite pasta, all baked until golden and bubbly. It’s designed for convenience, especially if you’re a fan of smart meal prep and have some key ingredients ready in your freezer. Get ready to add this Italian-inspired casserole to your regular rotation – your taste buds and your schedule will thank you!

This savory Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake is more than just a meal; it’s a culinary hug in a dish. Its rich, creamy texture and robust Italian flavors make it an instant hit with both adults and children. What truly sets this recipe apart is its incredible ease of preparation, especially if you embrace the concept of stocking your freezer with pre-cooked chicken and sautéed onions. This simple trick transforms a delicious dinner into an almost effortless endeavor, perfect for those busy evenings when time is a luxury.

Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Effortlessly Delicious: With a few simple steps and readily available ingredients, you can create a meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
Italian-Inspired Flavor: Diced tomatoes, a hint of salt and pepper, and rich mozzarella cheese infuse this dish with authentic, comforting Italian notes.
Family Favorite: This casserole is incredibly kid-friendly, making it a perfect choice for picky eaters. The creamy sauce and tender chicken are universally appealing.
Freezer-Friendly: Having cooked chicken and onions prepped in advance dramatically cuts down on cooking time, making it ideal for meal planning.
Hearty & Satisfying: Packed with protein from chicken and spinach, plus satisfying pasta, this dish is a complete meal that will keep everyone full and happy.
Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit various dietary needs or simply to use what you have on hand.

⏲️ Time Needed to Prepare and Bake

This delightful Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake is surprisingly quick to put together, especially if you’re a savvy meal prepper. The total time from start to finish is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. This includes about 30 minutes for preparing the ingredients (like softening cream cheese, cooking pasta if not pre-cooked, cooking chicken and onions if not from frozen, and thawing spinach) and a comfortable 45 minutes for baking the casserole to golden, bubbly perfection in your oven.

🥘 Key Ingredients for Your Pasta Bake

Crafting this savory Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake requires a selection of fresh and pantry-staple ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the rich, layered flavors and comforting texture that make this dish a family favorite.

Rigatoni: This tubular pasta is perfect for catching and holding onto the creamy sauce and bits of chicken and spinach, ensuring a flavorful bite every time.
Olive Oil: Essential for sautéing the onions, adding a touch of classic Mediterranean flavor.
Onion: Sautéed until translucent, onions provide a sweet aromatic base that elevates the entire dish.
Frozen Spinach: A convenient way to incorporate healthy greens. Make sure it’s thawed and well-drained to avoid a watery casserole.
Cooked Cubed Chicken: The star protein, offering a satisfying and tender texture. Using pre-cooked chicken is a fantastic time-saver.
Italian-Style Diced Tomatoes: These bring a bright, tangy, and slightly sweet counterpoint to the richness of the cheese and cream.
Cream Cheese: The secret to the bake’s incredible creaminess and luscious texture. Softening it beforehand ensures a smooth mixture.
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the other flavors, adjustable to your personal preference.
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: For that irresistible, gooey, cheesy topping that bakes to a beautiful golden brown.
Non-stick cooking spray: To ensure your delicious bake comes out of the dish easily.

🌾 Adaptations for Dietary Restrictions & Preferences

This Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake is wonderfully versatile, allowing for several easy adjustments to suit different dietary needs or personal preferences:

Gluten-Free: Simply swap out traditional rigatoni for your favorite gluten-free pasta variety. Most grocery stores now offer excellent gluten-free options that hold up well in a baked casserole.
Vegetarian Option: To make this dish vegetarian, omit the chicken entirely. Instead, you can add sautéed mushrooms, diced red peppers, zucchini, or other preferred vegetables to boost the flavor and texture. Cooked chickpeas or cannellini beans could also provide a protein boost.
Dairy-Free (with modifications): While the core of this recipe is cheese and cream cheese, you could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese alternatives and plant-based shredded mozzarella for a dairy-free version. Note that the texture and flavor might vary.
Lower Fat: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and mozzarella, and opt for lean chicken breast.
Spice It Up: For those who enjoy a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mixture.

📋 Instructions: How to Make Your Cheesy Pasta Bake

Follow these simple steps to create a delightful Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake that will impress everyone at your table.

Preheat Oven and Prep Dish: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Prepare Spinach: Ensure your frozen chopped spinach is fully thawed. Then, drain it exceptionally well. Press the spinach between layers of paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much excess moisture as possible. This step is crucial to prevent your casserole from becoming watery.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the thoroughly drained spinach, your sautéed onions, the cooked rigatoni pasta, cubed cooked chicken, the can of Italian-style diced tomatoes (undrained for maximum flavor), the softened cream cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix all these ingredients together thoroughly until everything is well combined and the cream cheese is evenly distributed.
Transfer to Baking Dish: Spoon the entire mixture evenly into your prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out to form a consistent layer.
Add Cheese Topping: Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta mixture. This will create a fantastic cheesy crust.
Bake (Covered): Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. This initial covered baking allows the flavors to meld and the casserole to heat through without the cheese browning too quickly.
Bake (Uncovered): After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and the casserole is bubbly around the edges. This step gives you that perfect gooey, slightly crispy cheese topping.
Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to serve.

💭 Tips for a Perfect Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Achieving the perfect Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake is simple with these handy tips:

Spinach Thawing: For best results, place frozen spinach in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. If you’re short on time, you can thaw it in the microwave using the defrost setting, just be sure to squeeze out all excess liquid.
Softened Cream Cheese: Always use softened cream cheese. This ensures it mixes smoothly into the pasta mixture, preventing lumps and creating a uniformly creamy texture. Take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before use, or gently microwave it for a few seconds if needed.
Al Dente Pasta: Cook your rigatoni (or chosen pasta) to al dente. It will continue to cook and absorb liquid in the oven, so slightly undercooking it initially prevents it from becoming mushy.
Freezer Meal Prep Advantage: The biggest time-saver for this recipe is having cooked chicken and sautéed onions ready in your freezer. You can cook a large batch on a weekend and portion it out for future meals. This cuts down prep time significantly on a busy weeknight. If you don’t have them prepped, simply sauté your diced onion in olive oil while your pasta cooks, and dice pre-cooked chicken or quickly cook some chicken breast before combining.
Don’t Overmix: While you want all ingredients well combined, avoid overmixing which can break down the pasta.
Let it Rest: Allowing the casserole to rest for a few minutes after baking helps the sauce to thicken and settle, making it easier to portion and preventing it from being too runny.

Recipe Card: Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake is so easy and full of Italian flavor. It’s even easier to make if you have cooked chicken and onions stocked in your freezer!

Author: Mary Ann

Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: Italian
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 393 per serving

Ingredients

8 ounces rigatoni, cooked al dente and drained
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, sautéed
10 ounce pkg. frozen spinach, thawed and well-drained
3 cups cooked cubed chicken
14 ounce can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
8 ounce pkg. cream cheese, softened
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
Non-stick cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between paper towels to remove excess water.
In a large mixing bowl, add the drained spinach, sautéed onions, cooked rigatoni, cooked chicken, diced tomatoes, softened cream cheese, salt, and pepper; mix together thoroughly until all ingredients are well combined.
Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and continue baking for 15 minutes longer, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

If you do not have cooked chicken and onions in the freezer, you can sauté the onion while the pasta cooks and quickly cook chicken breast to cube for the recipe. Allow time for the cream cheese to soften and the spinach to thaw while you are preparing the pasta, chicken, and onions to ensure a smooth preparation process.

For a vegetarian option, simply omit the chicken and consider adding sautéed mushrooms, diced red bell peppers, or other hearty vegetables for a delicious twist.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 393 cal
Carbohydrates: 28 g
Protein: 25 g
Fat: 20 g
Sodium: 507 mg
Fiber: 3 g
Sugar: 4 g

🥗 Perfect Side Dishes to Complement Your Pasta Bake

A well-chosen side dish can truly complete your meal. With a hearty and flavorful dish like Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake, simple yet refreshing sides are often the best complement. Since your main course already covers your protein and carbohydrates, focusing on fresh vegetables or a light salad is ideal to balance the richness of the casserole and enhance the spinach already present in the dish.

Seasoned Green Beans: Lightly steamed or sautéed green beans, seasoned with a touch of garlic and a pinch of salt, offer a vibrant green contrast and a satisfying crunch.
Fresh Green Salad: A simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing counterpoint to the creamy pasta. Add some cherry tomatoes and cucumber for extra freshness.
Green Peas with Butter: Sweet and tender green peas, lightly buttered, are a classic and easy side that kids love. They add a pop of color and natural sweetness.
Caprese Salad: For an extra touch of Italian elegance, a Caprese salad with fresh mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil, and a drizzle of balsamic glaze is perfect. It’s light, flavorful, and beautiful.
Garlic Bread or Breadsticks: While the pasta bake is substantial, a side of warm garlic bread is always a welcome addition for soaking up any leftover sauce.

❄️ Storage and Make-Ahead Options

This Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake is not only fantastic fresh from the oven but also makes for excellent leftovers or a convenient make-ahead meal:

Refrigerating Leftovers: Store any leftover pasta bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven. For oven reheating, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, then uncover for the last few minutes if you want to crisp the cheese again.
Freezing the Cooked Casserole: This casserole freezes exceptionally well! Once baked and cooled completely, you can freeze individual portions in airtight containers or wrap the entire baking dish (if freezer-safe) tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. It will last in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Make-Ahead (Unbaked): To prepare this dish in advance, assemble the entire casserole (up to the point of sprinkling mozzarella cheese) in your baking dish. Cover it tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the mozzarella, then bake as directed, adding an extra 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time since it will be starting cold.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use a different type of pasta?: Absolutely! While rigatoni is great for holding the sauce, you can easily substitute it with other sturdy pasta shapes like penne, ziti, or cavatappi. Just ensure they are cooked al dente before mixing.
What if I don’t have cooked chicken on hand?: No problem! You can quickly cook chicken breast or thighs by dicing them and sautéing them in a pan with a little olive oil until cooked through. Rotisserie chicken is also a fantastic shortcut.
Can I add other vegetables?: Yes! This casserole is very adaptable. Feel free to add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, or even corn. Just make sure to pre-cook any harder vegetables slightly so they are tender when the bake is finished.
How do I prevent the pasta bake from being dry?: Ensure your spinach is very well drained to prevent excess water, and don’t overcook the pasta initially. The cream cheese and diced tomatoes provide plenty of moisture. If you prefer a looser sauce, you can add a splash of chicken broth or milk to the mixture before baking.

📌 Pin This Recipe for Later!

Don’t let this fantastic Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake slip through your fingers! Be sure to pin this recipe to your favorite Pinterest board so you can easily find it whenever you’re craving a comforting, easy, and incredibly delicious Italian-inspired meal. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or simply when you need a little taste of home.

We hope you enjoy making and savoring this delightful Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake as much as we do. It’s truly a recipe that combines convenience with irresistible flavor, making it a perfect addition to any home cook’s repertoire. Happy cooking!