Chicken Pasta Bake

This isn’t your average pasta bake – we’re talking about a gloriously cheesy, perfectly seasoned masterpiece that’ll have everyone fighting for seconds. The combination of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and that incredible tomato sauce is pure magic.

What makes this dish special is how the sauce seeps into every ridge of the pasta, while the cheese creates that irresistible golden crust on top. The fresh tomatoes burst with flavor, and the spinach adds both color and nutrition without making it feel like health food.

Ingredients

For the Seasoned Chicken:

• 500g chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp Italian herb mix

For the Pasta Bake:

• 300g rigatoni pasta
• 5 slices streaky bacon
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 700g tomato passata
• 3 fresh tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
2. Toss chicken with seasonings. Cook bacon until crispy, remove and chop.
3. In bacon fat, cook seasoned chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.
4. Sauté onion and garlic in same pan, add herbs and wine. Reduce wine, add tomato paste.
5. Pour in passata, return chicken, simmer 5 minutes.
6. Mix in spinach, tomatoes, pasta, and bacon. Transfer to baking dish.
7. Top with cheeses and bake 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.
8. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Smart Swaps

• Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber (same cooking time)
• Swap chicken thighs for turkey breast to reduce fat
• Try dairy-free cheese alternatives for lactose-free version

Make It Diabetes-Friendly

• Replace regular pasta with chickpea pasta (reduces carbs by 25g per serving)
• Use cherry tomatoes instead of regular (lower glycemic impact)
• Add extra vegetables like zucchini to reduce carb density
• Portion size: stick to 1 cup servings (45g carbs)

Pro Tips

• Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions for perfect texture
• Let cheese come to room temperature for better melting
• Use freshly grated cheese – pre-shredded doesn’t melt as well