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Spinach Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake - A delicious and easy recipe made with chicken, whole wheat pasta and tomatoes tossed in a creamy spinach pesto sauce and topped with cheese. This pasta is a winner every time AND it freezes great, too! Get the recipe on diethood.com

Spinach Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

Katerina | Diethood
A delicious and easy recipe made with chicken, whole wheat pasta and tomatoes tossed in a creamy spinach pesto sauce and topped with cheese.
Servings : 4
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

  • 1-1/2 cups dry whole wheat penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts , cubed
  • 1/3- cup spinach pesto <--- click for the recipe
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes , halved
  • 1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese , divided
  • 2 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese , for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 375ºF.
  • Lightly grease a baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.
  • Prepare pasta as directed on the package.
In the meantime, prepare the chicken.
  • Heat olive oil in a frying pan and add cubed chicken; cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned on all sides and thoroughly cooked. Remove from heat.
  • Drain pasta and return to pan.
  • Stir in prepared chicken and spinach pesto; mix until well combined.
  • Transfer to previously prepared baking dish.
  • Top with cherry tomatoes and layer 1/2-cup mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 18 minutes; remove from oven and top with remaining mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake for 3 to 4 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
  • Remove from oven and let stand few minutes.
  • Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and serve.

Notes

Once the pasta bake is done and cooled off for a minute or two, I like to stir it while it's still in the baking dish just so that the tomato juices can spread out evenly.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 330 kcal | Carbohydrates: 24 g | Protein: 30 g | Fat: 11 g | Saturated Fat: 4 g | Cholesterol: 74 mg | Sodium: 324 mg | Potassium: 608 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 3 g | Vitamin A: 995 IU | Vitamin C: 28.7 mg | Calcium: 264 mg | Iron: 1.2 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian