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  • Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Home » Chicken Recipes

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

    Published: Oct 18, 2019 · Modified: Aug 31, 2022 by Vicky · This post contains affiliate links.

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    You guys, I'm about to share one of my favorite easy recipes with you. Seriously, this is one I make all the time. It's yummy and cheesy and something whole family loves. Most nights, we moms do not have a lot of time to spend in the kitchen, but we still want to give our family something delicious. That's where this Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake comes in. Pasta, pesto, cheese and chicken - do you really need anything else? Be sure to also check out Sundried Tomato Pesto Pasta with Pancetta.

    I made this chicken pesto pasta bake and my family LOVED it. Cheesy and tasty, this is a great recipe for a busy weeknight.
    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake
    • Ingredients
    • How to make chicken pesto pasta
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related posts

    Why you'll love this Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

    • Creamy and cheesy comfort food
    • Hearty and filling meal the whole family will love
    • Can be made with leftover chicken

    Ingredients

    • penne pasta
    • chicken breasts
    • olive oil
    • garlic powder
    • oregano
    • salt
    • black pepper
    • pesto sauce
    • shredded mozzarella

    How to make chicken pesto pasta

    To make this chicken and pasta bake, you will start off by cooking a 16 oz box of penne rigate in a large pot according to package directions.

    While the pasta is cooking, it is time to cook up the chicken. I get my chicken from ButcherBox. They have the healthiest, best quality meat at great prices. Best of all, it's delivered to your door.

    Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan or large skillet and saute the bite sized pieces of chicken breasts on medium heat until they are cooked through.

    cooking chicken in a pan

    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

    Drain the noodles when done cooking and al dente and return to the pot. Add in the cooked chicken, basil pesto sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir to combine.

    pasta and pesto and chicken in a pot

    Pour the contents into a 9x13, 3 quart greased casserole dish. This one is my favorite!

    pasta and chicken casserole

    Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese, taking care to spread the cheese over the entire casserole.

    chicken pesto pasta bake

    Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese.

    chicken pesto pasta bake casserole

    Serve immediately to take advantage of the ooeey-gooey cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese for even more cheese flavor.

    cheesy pasta pesto bake with chicken

    If you want to bulk this up or get some veggies in there, you can add broccoli to this chicken pesto mozzarella pasta. This easy casserole makes a great meal that the entire family will love. Pair it with a salad and a slice of Italian bread and you have a winner!

    You'll also love our Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta.

    pasta bake casserole

    📖 Recipe

    Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

    This chicken pesto pasta bake is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight. It is a cheesy casserole that the entire family will love and it cooks up so quickly!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 707kcal
    Author: Vicky

    Ingredients

    • 16 oz penne rigate pasta
    • 2 lbs chicken breasts cooked and chopped into bite sized pieces
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • ¾ cup pesto sauce
    • 2 cups shredded mozzarella

    Instructions

    • Cook a 16 oz box of penne rigate in a large pot according to package directions.
    • While the pasta is cooking, cook the chicken. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and cook the bite sized pieces of chicken breasts until they are cooked through.
    • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
    • Drain the pasta when done cooking and return to the pot. Add in the cooked chicken, pesto sauce, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Stir to combine.
    • Pour the contents into a 9x13 greased casserole dish.
    • Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.
    • Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes to melt the cheese.

    Video

    Notes

    Short on time? Try this recipe with rotisserie chicken. This is a great way to use up leftovers.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 707kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 52g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 129mg | Sodium: 801mg | Potassium: 765mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 929IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 268mg | Iron: 2mg
    Try this Recipe! Pin it for Later.Mention @vickycat or tag #messforless!

    This nutritional information is approximate and was calculated using online calculators. Your nutritional information may vary depending on numerous factors.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I make this simple chicken pesto pasta bake with rotisserie chicken?

    Yes, you can use an equal amount of rotisserie chicken in this recipe. It saves on cooking time and is a great way to use up leftover chicken.

    What can I serve with this chicken with pesto and pasta?

    I love serving this with a side salad and some garlic bread.

    How do I store leftovers?

    You can store leftover pasta and chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days,

    Related posts

    • Crescent Roll Recipes: Cheesy Pesto Crescents
    • Pesto Butter Recipe
    • Beef and Tomato Pasta
    • Easy Crock Pot Recipes - Chicken with Pesto and Sun Dried Tomatoes
    • Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella
    • Crock Pot Pesto Chicken
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Neha

      October 18, 2019 at 6:47 pm

      I absolutely adore pesto and this pasta looks so creamy and delicious! I so need that bowl in my hands right now.

    2. Patty at Spoonabilities

      October 18, 2019 at 10:36 am

      5 stars
      This is the ultimate comfort food! Definitely we will be having this for dinner several times a month! Yummy!

    3. Sally Humeniuk

      October 18, 2019 at 10:35 am

      5 stars
      I cannot wait to make this recipe! I have to take something to my parents and my mom always requests a linguine with white sauce type of recipe so this is different enough but will definitely make her happy too. I love that you bake it all together so I can take it and she can then just bake it when she's ready. Great recipe!

    4. Jessica Formicola

      October 18, 2019 at 10:10 am

      5 stars
      My family loves pesto, so I know they will love this pasta! Can't wait to try it for dinner this weekend!

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    Hi, I'm Vicky, the founder and content creator at Mess For Less. If you are looking for family-friendly recipes, recipes that kids can make, and play and learning activities for kids, you will find them at Mess For Less. I invite you to learn more about me. Thanks for stopping by!

    Easter Activities and Recipes

    • Stained Glass Easter Cookie Recipe
    • How to Make Spotted Easter Eggs
    • M&M Easter Cookies
    • Shaving Cream Easter Eggs

    Spring Activities

    • How to Make a Mother's Day Card
    • DIY Seed Starter for Kids
    • Flower Craft Idea
    • How to Make a Paper Butterfly - Easy Craft for Kids

    Popular Recipes

    • Crack Chicken Casserole
    • Overnight Egg Casserole
    • Toasted Italian Sandwich - Food Fun Friday
    • Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake

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