Description
A cozy, cheesy pasta casserole with tender pasta, savory ground chicken, tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella. A simple, weeknight-friendly meal requiring just a few pantry staples for restaurant-quality comfort in 45 minutes.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta or rigatoni
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound ground chicken
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/2 teaspoon fine salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups plain tomato marinara sauce
1/2 cup reserved pasta water
1 cup ricotta cheese or cottage cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese
2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
Boil pasta in salted water for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain
Heat olive oil in a skillet. Cook ground chicken until browned, breaking into crumbs
Add onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook 2 minutes
Stir in tomato sauce and 1/2 cup pasta water. Simmer 5 minutes
Fold cooked pasta into the sauce mixture. Transfer to baking dish
Top with ricotta mixture, remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and spinach
Bake 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbly
Let rest 10 minutes before serving, garnished with parsley
Notes
Use cottage cheese for a lighter version
Reserve pasta water ensures the perfect sauce consistency
Check chicken for doneness after cooking
Freezes well for up to 3 months
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 30
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 1800mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 100mg