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?

Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

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.

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 9×13, 3 quart greased casserole dish. This one is my favorite!

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

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

Serve immediately to take advantage of the ooeey-gooey cheese.

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!

5 from 4 votes

Print

Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword casserole, chicken pesto pasta bake, pesto

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 50 minutes

Servings 6

Ingredients

• 16 oz penne rigate pasta
• 2 lbs chicken breasts cooked and chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 3/4 cup pesto sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella

Instructions

1. Cook a 16 oz box of penne rigate in a large pot according to package directions.

2. 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.

3. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

4. 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.

5. Pour the contents into a 9x13 greased casserole dish.

6. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese.

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

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

Eat At Home Meal Plans

Have you heard about Eat At Home Meal Plans? If the cost of eating out or the decision of what to make for dinner each night is stressing you out, then you must try these. When you sign up, you get access to four separate meal plans each month (Traditional, Wholesome Traditional, Slow Cooker, and No Flour/No Sugar). All you do is print the plans, color-coded grocery lists, and recipes you want for that month. Don’t worry, there are lots of options, so even picky eaters will find something they like.

Then when it is time for dinner, make that night’s recipe (choices include make-ahead, freezer meals, slow-cooker recipes, and other time-saving strategies).

That’s it! Dinner is on the table and you can enjoy a home cooked meal with the family – without the stress!

We all have more important things to do than meal planning. Let someone else do it for you with Eat At Home Meal Plans. Monthly, quarterly and annual plans are available.

If you enjoyed this cheesy chicken pesto pasta bake, you’ll love:

Grilled Flatbread with Pesto and Mozzarella

Crock Pot Pesto Chicken