Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake - The Recipe Rebel [VIDEO] (2024)

This Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake is cheesy, creamy, and so flavorful! Penne pasta is baked in the best homemade sauce and made hearty with bites of chicken spread throughout. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you need something comforting and easy!

Enjoy more of my favorite pasta recipes like Three Cheese Gnocchi Bake, Creamy Gemelli Pasta and Orecchiette Pasta with Sausage.

As the weather drops, it’s time to whip out all of our favorite comfort food recipes! This creamy chicken pasta bake is stick-to-your-ribs comforting in the very best way.

It checks all the right boxes – creamy, cheesy, chicken-y, and SO easy. There’s a whole lot to love about this Tuscan chicken pasta!

Why we love it:

• Easy-Peasy – Yes! This recipe really simplifies the process of making homemade pasta sauce. Once you’ve got your sauce, noodles and chicken ready, you just toss it all together and let the oven do the rest of the work for you.
• Cheesy and Creamy – Ingredients like parmesan, mozzarella and heavy cream come together to create the best cheesy flavor and creamy consistency.
• Sneaky Spinach – If you have a picky eater seated at the table, have no fear. The spinach in this pasta bake recipe is so sneaky, they might not even notice it in there!
• It’s make-ahead-able! This recipe can be prepped right up to the point of baking, then refrigerated or frozen until you’re ready to bake it. More on this below 😉

Ingredients Needed for Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

• Pasta: It’s best to use a short pasta like penne, fusili or something similar so it really grips the sauce.
• Oil: Use a neutral oil like canola, olive or avocado.
• Chicken: As long as it’s boneless and skinless, it’ll work! Feel free to use either breast or thigh meat.
• Salt and Pepper: Just a few shakes of each, to taste.
• Butter: You can use salted or unsalted depending on what you prefer.
• Sun-Dried Tomatoes: This is what really creates that Tuscan flair! Be sure to thoroughly drain them before chopping.
• Garlic: Fresh garlic is preferred over pre-minced.
• Seasonings: You’ll need a simple medley of Italian seasoning, oregano, and crushed red pepper flakes.
• Broth: Low-sodium chicken broth creates great flavor without adding any more salt.
• Heavy Cream: To maintain that thick and creamy consistency, I don’t recommend swapping this ingredient with any other dairy product. If you must, a lighter cream can work (but the sauce will be thinner) or a lactose-free heavy cream will also work.
• Parmesan Cheese: If possible, try to freshly shred your own parmesan right off the block for the best flavor and texture.
• Mozzarella Cheese: This really seals the deal on that cheesy goodness!
• Fresh Spinach: for color and added nutrition!

How to make Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

This pasta bake recipe comes together in no time! Here’s a little sneak peek at the process. Scroll down to the recipe card for more info!

Before you get started, make sure you have all of your ingredients prepared and ready. It’s a fast moving recipe.

• Cook pasta to al dente and add to the baking dish.
• Season your chicken with a little salt and pepper, then toss it into a pan over medium heat and cook until lightly browned on all sides. Remove from the pan and set aside.

• In the same pan, melt some butter and add the sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, and seasonings. Cook for just a minute or two before stirring in the flour and cooking until absorbed.
• Slowly whisk in the broth and heavy cream. Cook until thickened.

• Stir in the parmesan and spinach
• Combine sauce with pasta and chicken in the baking dish. Top with more cheese and bake!

Variations and Substitutions

• Add more veggies: This recipe is pretty versatile. Dress it up even more with some mushrooms, tomatoes, broccoli, kale, or whatever else your heart desires!
• Change up the chicken: If you have any leftover Instant Pot Chicken Breast orShredded Chicken, this is a great recipe to use it with.
• Broth: You can use vegetable broth instead if preferred. In fact, you can make the whole recipe vegetarian-friendly by omitting the chicken and swapping the broth.

How to store Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

Once it’s totally cooled to room temperature, you can store this chicken pasta bake in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2-3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until warmed all the way through.

Can I make this ahead?

You can easily prep it and freeze it to finish making later!

Prep the recipe up to the point of baking, then cover with plastic wrap or tin foil. Refrigerate up to 4 days before baking!

Can I freeze Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake?

Yes, definitely! High fat dairy always freezes best, so I would avoid freezing this if you swap out the heavy cream.

Assemble the casserole as instructed, but without the cheese topping. Do not bake. Once it’s cooled to room temp, wrap it in plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for 2-3 months. When you’re ready to serve it, add the cheese and let it thaw in the fridge overnight before baking.

Serving suggestions:

Tuscan chicken pasta is pretty heavy, so lighten up your plate with a veggie side dish like Cheesy Baked Asparagus or Air Fryer Green Beans!