One Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake
A comforting and delicious one-pot meal that combines chicken, pasta, and a creamy tomato sauce without any heavy cream, perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
For the sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 6 tbsp plain flour
- 2 cups milk (500ml)
- 2 cups tomato passata (500ml)
- 1 cup water (or chicken or vegetable broth) (250ml)
- 2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
For the bake
- 3 cups dried ziti / penne pasta (uncooked)
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Pepper
- Fresh basil leaves
- Freshly grated parmesan
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a deep fry pan or skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Stir in the flour and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Gradually add the milk, whisking in small circles for about 1 minute until it begins to thicken.
- Add the tomato passata, water, salt, and pepper.
- Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for about 5 minutes or until the mixture thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Cooking
- Taste the sauce, and if it’s a bit sour, you can add 1 to 2 teaspoons of sugar depending on the quality of the passata you use.
- Mix in the uncooked ziti or penne, cooked chicken, and cheddar cheese.
- Allow it to cook for around 1 minute on the stove, then remove it from the heat.
- Scatter the mozzarella cheese on top, cover with a lid or foil, and bake for 10 minutes.
- After that, remove the lid or foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
- Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving, and garnish with fresh basil leaves and freshly grated parmesan if desired.
Notes
Cool any leftover pasta bake completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months; just make sure to cover it well to prevent freezer burn. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through. For added flavor, you can sauté some bell peppers or spinach with the onion and garlic.