Swift, 30-Minute Penne Pasta Bake with Chicken and Spinach, Creamy Delight
Chicken-Spinach-Penne-Bake: A Weeknight Lifesaver
The Chicken-Spinach-Penne-Bake is a crowd-pleasing, quick and easy recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights. This creamy comfort dish, with its sneaky healthy ingredients, is sure to become a family favourite.
Preparation
Gather your equipment: a 9x13 inch baking dish, a large pot, a mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, and a cheese grater. The recipe calls for 8 oz penne pasta, 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 2 cups fresh spinach, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp dried basil, salt, and fresh cracked pepper.
Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling, generously salted water for about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the cooked penne, shredded chicken, chopped spinach, heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic powder, basil, salt, and pepper.
Assembly
Pour the mixture into the baking dish and bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes, until the edges are bubbling and the top has golden spots. For a cold assembly, add 5 extra minutes to the bake time.
Sprinkling an extra handful of Parmesan on top before baking creates an irresistible crispy golden crust. You can also add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for a kick, or throw in a handful of sun-dried tomatoes for sweet-tart bursts of flavour. Sautéed sliced cremini mushrooms can be added for earthy perfection.
Serving and Storing
Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes after baking to let the creamy sauce settle into perfection. This dish can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Leftovers taste even better the next day.
Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds incredible flavour. Fresh spinach should be used instead of frozen to maintain the perfect texture and vibrant colour.
The Chicken-Spinach-Penne-Bake is a favourite weeknight lifesaver recipe, offering a delicious and nutritious meal in just 30 minutes. Enjoy!
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