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Are you searching for that ultimate comfort food dish that’s both incredibly satisfying and surprisingly simple to make? Look no further than this irresistible One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake! This recipe is a game-changer for busy weeknights, delivering a rich, flavorful experience that tastes like it took hours, but comes together with minimal fuss and, best of all, only one pot to clean.
Forget the heavy cream! We achieve that luscious, velvety texture by letting the pasta cook directly in a savory tomato sauce, releasing its starches to create a naturally creamy consistency. Combined with tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and a golden mozzarella topping, every spoonful is a burst of hearty, homemade goodness. Get ready to impress your family and friends with a dish that’s destined to become a regular in your dinner rotation.
Ingredients
To create this comforting One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake, you’llóneed a selection of simple, wholesome ingredients. We’re talking tender chicken, robust canned tomatoes, your favorite short pasta, and a medley of seasonings that bring it all to life. Don’t forget the Parmesan and mozzarella for that irresistible cheesy finish!
How to Make Irresistible One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake
Follow these easy steps to create a delicious and creamy one-pot pasta bake that will become a family favorite. For this recipe, you’ll need a reliable, large, non-stick oven-safe pot, which is essential for both stove-top cooking and baking.
Step 1: Brown the Chicken
Heat the olive oil in your large pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast or thighs and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally with stainless steel tongs, until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside, leaving any drippings in the pot.
Step 2: Sauté Aromatics
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic (a garlic press makes this quick and easy), dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being carefulónot to burn the garlic.
Step 3: Build the Sauce and Cook Pasta
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon. Add the uncooked short pasta and the reserved browned chicken back into the pot. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta is cooked, add a splash more broth or water.
Step 4: Stir in Parmesan and Spinach
Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and creates a creamy consistency. If using, fold in the fresh spinach until it wilts. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. For grating fresh Parmesan, a box grater works wonders.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Preheat your oven broiler. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Place the pot under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and has turned a beautiful golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Irresistible One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake (No Cream!)
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch cubes
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 15 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 12 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup fresh spinach (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in your large non-stick oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Add the cubed chicken breast or thighs and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is browned on all sides, about 5-7 minutes. It doesn’t need to be cooked through at this stage. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside, leaving any drippings in the pot.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion to the same pot and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for another minute until fragrant, being carefulónot to burn the garlic.
- Pour in the crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes (undrained), and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Add the uncooked short pasta and the reserved browned chicken back into the pot. Stir well to ensure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and simmer for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If the sauce becomes too thick before the pasta is cooked, add a splash more broth or water.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it melts and creates a creamy consistency. If using, fold in the fresh spinach until it wilts. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed.
- Preheat your oven broiler. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta. Place the pot under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and has turned a beautiful golden brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a truly delicious and satisfying One-Pot Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake, proving that you don’t need heavy cream to achieve an incredibly rich and comforting meal. This recipe is a testament to the magic of simple ingredients coming together in one pot to create something extraordinary. It’s perfect for a cozy family dinner or when you need a hearty meal with minimal cleanup.
We hope this recipe inspires you to get cooking and discover the joy of effortless, flavorful meals. Don’t forget to share your creations with us! For more culinary inspiration and easy recipes, visit Food Network Recipes or explore other great dishes on Allrecipes. If you’re looking to broaden your recipe repertoire, check out our Gnocchi alla Romana recipe for another Italian classic. You can also find more recipe ideas on Bon Appetit Recipes, Real Simple’s recipe collection, and Food.com. Learn how to create your own recipes or explore tips for making the crispiest potatoes ever. Enjoy your cooking journey!
