Cheesy Pasta Bake With Chicken And Bacon
I’ve included some videos I found relevant and helpful. 😍
Are you looking for a tasty and easy dinner? This Cheesy Pasta Bake with Chicken and Bacon is perfect for you! It’s a simple dish that combines pasta, chicken, bacon, and veggies in a creamy sauce. You’ll love how the cheese gets golden and bubbly on top, making every bite delicious.
This recipe takes about an hour to make, with 15 minutes of prep and 45 minutes of cooking. It serves 6 people, so it’s great for families or when you want leftovers. You can use any pasta shape you like, and the mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese makes it extra gooey and yummy.
Exact Ingredients List
Here’s what you’ll need to make this tasty cheesy pasta bake:
- 4 1/2 cups dried pasta (like rigatoni)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 3 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
You’ll also need:
- 28 oz canned chopped tomatoes
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
- 1 cup minus 1 tbsp strong cheddar cheese, grated
- 1 cup minus 1 tbsp mozzarella, grated
- Small bunch of parsley, roughly torn
This recipe serves 6 people and takes about an hour to make. It’s perfect for a family dinner or when you’re having friends over.
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) with the fan on. Grab a large pot and boil water for the pasta. Cook the pasta for 1 minute less than the package says. Drain it when done.
While the pasta cooks, heat oil in a big frying pan. Add chicken chunks and cook for 5 minutes until they’re just sealed. Toss in the chopped onion and cook for 3-4 more minutes until soft.
Now add the bell peppers, salt, pepper, garlic, tomato paste, oregano, and thyme. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes and cream, then let it bubble gently.
Mix in the cooked pasta, spinach, and bacon. Stir it all together and transfer to a large baking dish. Sprinkle the cheddar and mozzarella on top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese turns golden brown. Take it out and sprinkle with parsley. Your cheesy pasta bake is ready to serve!
Possible Substitutes List
You can easily swap ingredients in this cheesy pasta bake to suit your tastes or what’s in your pantry. Here are some tasty options:
Pasta:
- Penne
- Fusilli
- Farfalle (bow-tie)
- Shells
Protein:
- Turkey instead of chicken
- Ham cubes instead of bacon
- Sausage (pre-cooked and sliced)
Veggies:
- Broccoli florets
- Sliced mushrooms
- Diced zucchini
- Frozen peas
Cheese:
- Gruyere
- Fontina
- Gouda
- Parmesan (mix with mozzarella)
You can also try different herbs like basil or rosemary instead of oregano and thyme. For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños.
If you’re not a fan of cream, you can use milk or half-and-half. For a veggie version, skip the meat and add extra vegetables or some canned beans.
Remember, these swaps may change the cooking time a bit, so keep an eye on your dish as it bakes.
How To Make It Diabetes-Friendly
To make this cheesy pasta bake more diabetes-friendly, you can try a few simple swaps. Use whole grain pasta instead of regular pasta. Whole grains have more fiber, which helps slow down blood sugar spikes.
Cut back on the amount of cheese and cream. Try using low-fat versions to reduce calories and saturated fat. You can also add extra veggies like zucchini or broccoli to boost the fiber and nutrients.
For the chicken, use skinless breasts to lower the fat content. Instead of bacon, try turkey bacon or Canadian bacon, which are leaner choices.
Here are some specific changes you can make:
- Swap regular pasta for whole wheat pasta
- Use low-fat milk instead of cream
- Cut cheese amount in half
- Double the spinach
- Add 1 cup chopped zucchini
- Use 4 slices turkey bacon instead of regular bacon
These tweaks will lower the carbs and fat while adding more fiber and nutrients. The dish will still be tasty, but better for managing blood sugar levels.
Tips, Tricks & Storing
For extra flavor, try adding some smoked paprika or Italian seasoning to the sauce. You can also swap the chicken for turkey or use a mix of cheeses like Gruyere and Parmesan.
To save time, use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken and crumbled bacon bits. Chop your veggies ahead of time and store them in the fridge to make prep even quicker.
Got leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until hot throughout.
Freezing tip: Let the bake cool completely, then wrap tightly in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
For a crispy top, broil the pasta bake for 2-3 minutes at the end of cooking. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
Make it vegetarian by skipping the chicken and bacon. Add extra veggies like zucchini or mushrooms instead.