Easy Chicken Pasta Bake {Freezer Meal}
This Easy Chicken Pasta Bake is a freezer meal made with lots of veggies and a creamy rose sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 429kcal
Ingredients
- 1 (450g) box rigatoni pasta (or 1lb)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 lb medium-sized chicken breasts, diced into 1 inch pieces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 medium sized red onion, sliced
- 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
- 1/2 tsp red chili flakes
- 1 (650mL) jar marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 2 cups spinach, chopped
- 1 (453g) log fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 10 fresh basil leaves (or chopped basil as a garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F. Cook pasta to just before al dente, about 6-8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large saucepan over med-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned. Add onions and garlic, sauteeing another 1-2 minutes or so until fragrant. Add in marinara sauce, sour cream, salt and pepper and chili flakes, then bring just to a boil, stirring well.
- Stir in red pepper and spinach, and then toss pasta in sauce mixture and remove from heat. Add pasta to a large greased 9x13 dish and then top with mozzarella cheese. Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until cheese is melted and starts to brown.
- Remove from oven, garnish with basil leaves then serve and enjoy! You can freeze individual portions up to 3 months. To reheat, defrost in the microwave for 6-7 minutes or reheat in a 350 F oven for 20-30 minutes.
Video
Notes
Make this pasta bake a bit healthier by using non-fat Greek yogurt or cottage cheese instead of sour cream.
Try out different sauces like alfredo, Bolognese or pesto.
Swap out the chicken for another kind of meat or diced potatoes or veggies for a vegetarian option.
Store the leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days. Sprinkle some water over top then reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Freeze this recipe for up to 3 months in individual serving sizes. Reheat in the oven for 20 minutes at 350 F.
Nutrition
Calories: 429kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 55mg | Sodium: 757mg | Potassium: 405mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 5300IU | Vitamin C: 41.3mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 3.6mg