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Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

This Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and cheesy casserole made with tender chicken, vibrant pesto sauce, melty cheese, and perfectly cooked pasta — a simple yet satisfying dish perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or meal prepping!

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz (340g) short pasta (penne, fusilli, or rigatoni)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken (cubed or shredded)
  • 3/4 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
  • 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

  1. Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, pesto sauce, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Stir to mix.
  3. Grease a baking dish with olive oil.
  4. Pour in the pasta mixture and spread evenly.
  5. Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  6. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  7. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Garnish with fresh basil and cracked pepper before serving.
  • Author: Tom
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish, Dinner, Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American, Italian-Inspired

Keywords: pesto chicken pasta bake, chicken pesto pasta bake, baked pesto chicken pasta, cheesy chicken pasta bake, easy chicken pasta bake, creamy pesto chicken pasta