Description
This creamy chicken pesto pasta bake with spinach combines tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and layers of herby pesto in a cheesy, golden casserole. Quick to assemble and bake, it makes an easy weeknight dinner or family meal that balances comfort and nutrition. Featuring simple pantry ingredients, it offers flexibility for gluten-free or dairy-free diets and can be prepared ahead or frozen for later. Every scoop delivers a rich, savory bite of pesto, cheese, and chicken, making it a reliable go-to recipe for busy schedules and casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Instructions
1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and toss with olive oil to prevent sticking
2. Season raw chicken if using, then sauté until cooked through or use pre-cooked chicken shredded or sliced
3. In a bowl, mix together pesto, cream cheese and minced garlic until smooth, then fold in feta cheese
4. Add spinach, cooked chicken and pasta to the bowl and toss until everything is coated in the pesto mixture
5. Transfer half of the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish, sprinkle with parmesan, then top with the remaining pasta and more cheese
6. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden, then broil 2–3 minutes for a crisp top if desired
7. Let the bake rest for five minutes before serving, garnish with fresh basil or red pepper flakes if desired
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 10
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 30
- Cholesterol: 75
Keywords: chicken, pesto, pasta, bake, spinach, healthy, easy, casserole, weeknight, comfort