Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Cheesy Baked Chicken Rigatoni Pasta recipe. A creamy, flavorful dish that’s perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
Chicken:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or chopped)
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara or tomato basil sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup ricotta cheese (optional)
Garnish:
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook Pasta: Cook rigatoni according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a skillet, heat olive oil, sauté garlic, add marinara sauce, heavy cream, seasonings, and simmer for 5 minutes. Add chicken and pasta to sauce.
- Layer and Bake: Transfer half of the mixture to a baking dish, top with cheeses, repeat layering, and bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly.
- Rest and Garnish: Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Add sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra vegetables.
- Swap ricotta for cottage cheese if preferred.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 670mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
