Delicious Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Discover the ultimate family-friendly dinner with our fiber-rich penne pasta, lovingly tossed with tender chicken and savory pasta sauce, then baked to golden perfection with a delightful blend of organic cheeses and nutritious spinach. This Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake is more than just a meal; it’s a smart solution for busy weeknights and a comforting dish everyone will adore.
Mastering Meal Planning for Stress-Free Dinners
How effective is your meal planning routine? For many, including myself, it’s an ongoing journey toward greater efficiency and less stress. In fact, improving my meal planning skills was a top resolution a few years ago, and I’m proud to say my success rate hovers around 60%. While it’s still a work in progress, the weeks I dedicate time to planning make a remarkable difference. I consistently find that I spend less at the grocery store, avoiding impulse buys and unnecessary purchases. More importantly, the chaotic rush and decision fatigue that often accompanies dinnertime are significantly reduced, cutting my stress in half.
Strategic Meal Prep: Tips for Busy Families
My approach to effective meal planning begins each Sunday with a casual family poll. What are everyone’s cravings for the week? Those suggestions go straight onto our dinner list. Do I have a new recipe, like this Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake, that I’m eager to try? I’ll schedule it for a less hectic evening, allowing myself ample time to explore and enjoy the cooking process. I consciously vary our proteins throughout the week, ensuring a balanced diet. We might enjoy beef one night, chicken another, and pasta, which is always a hit in our household, makes an appearance once or twice a week. Soups or hearty stews are perfect for cooler evenings, offering warmth and often easy prep. For those evenings when everyone walks through the door absolutely starving, slow cooker meals or dishes prepared in advance are absolute lifesavers. This proactive strategy is key to maintaining peace and good nutrition in a busy household.
The Art of Leftover Reinvention
One of my favorite meal planning hacks is repurposing leftovers. It’s an incredibly efficient way to save time and reduce food waste. If I’m cooking chicken for one meal, I’ll deliberately prepare extra, knowing it can be easily transformed into a delicious chicken soup later in the week or, even better, incorporated into a baked pasta dish like this one. The same principle applies to beef; leftover taco meat from Tuesday night tacos makes fantastic game-day nachos for the weekend. This creative use of ingredients not only stretches our food budget but also adds variety to our menu without starting from scratch every single night. It’s about working smarter, not harder, in the kitchen, and it’s a practice that truly pays off for busy families seeking healthy, delicious meals.
Introducing the Secret Weapon: Our Family’s Favorite Pasta Bake
My youngest daughter, often my sous chef in the kitchen, has a keen eye for culinary similarities. When we were preparing this delightful dish, she shrewdly observed, “You know, this is a lot like lasagna, isn’t it?” To which I conspiratorially replied, “Yes, but let’s keep that our little secret.” You see, while my family isn’t overly picky and we all adore pasta, traditional lasagna is only embraced by half of us. My goal was to create a comforting, cheesy baked pasta that would appeal to everyone. I recalled a clever recipe trick: blending cottage cheese and mozzarella before adding it to a lasagna, which creates an incredibly smooth and irresistible cheese layer. Naturally, I decided to incorporate plenty of spinach – not only because I love it in lasagna, but also because it’s a fantastic, almost undetectable way to sneak in extra vegetables for those who might be less enthusiastic about greens. This approach ensures a delicious, nutrient-packed meal that wins over even the most discerning palates.
The Secret to a Stellar Baked Pasta: Quality Organic Cheeses
In my culinary philosophy, cheese is the ingredient that truly elevates a pasta dish from good to unforgettable. For this particular Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake, I opted for Horizon Organic’s low-fat cottage cheese and their premium Mozzarella shreds. Choosing organic dairy isn’t just a preference; it’s a commitment to quality ingredients that contribute to both the flavor and nutritional value of your meal. The rich, creamy texture of the cottage cheese, perfectly blended with the melt-in-your-mouth mozzarella, creates layers of savory delight throughout the bake. These organic choices ensure that every forkful is not only delicious but also made with products you can feel good about serving to your family. Horizon Organic’s dedication to sustainable farming and high-quality dairy aligns perfectly with my desire to create wholesome, flavorful meals.
Horizon Organics – From Farm to Table: More than 20 years ago, our founders helped pioneer the organic dairy movement and Horizon became the first company to supply organic milk nationwide. We began with a handful of organic family farms, and family farms are still the heart of Horizon.
Crafting Your Perfect Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake
Creating this comforting baked pasta dish is surprisingly simple, whether you’re starting with freshly cooked chicken breasts or utilizing clever leftover chicken from a previous meal. Begin by tossing your cooked chicken with your favorite jarred pasta sauce. For the pasta itself, I recommend a high-fiber penne, cooked al dente, to add a satisfying chew and an extra nutritional boost. This delightful mixture forms the flavorful base, which you then spread evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. The next step involves preparing the creamy, cheesy layers that truly make this dish shine. In a food processor, blend the Horizon Organic cottage cheese until smooth, then combine it with a generous portion of shredded mozzarella and a touch of fresh Parmesan. This creates an incredibly smooth and luxurious cheese mixture. For a hidden veggie boost, take half of this cheese mixture and blend it with defrosted, squeezed-dry frozen spinach. This not only adds a vibrant color but also a wealth of nutrients, making this baked pasta both delicious and wholesome.
Once your chicken and pasta mixture is spread in the baking dish, carefully spread the spinach-infused cheese layer over the top. This vibrant green layer adds both flavor and essential nutrients. It’s a fantastic way to introduce more vegetables into your family’s diet without them even noticing, especially with the rich, creamy texture it brings to the dish. The subtle earthy notes of the spinach beautifully complement the savory chicken and tangy pasta sauce, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that truly satisfies. This careful layering ensures that every bite offers a perfect balance of pasta, chicken, and cheesy goodness, making it a truly irresistible family meal.
Following the spinach-cheese layer, the remaining half of the plain cheese mixture is spread evenly over the top. This creates a distinct, creamy white layer that provides a wonderful contrast to the spinach layer below. It’s a testament to thoughtful layering, ensuring that the flavors and textures are beautifully distributed throughout the entire dish. But of course, no baked pasta is truly complete without a generous final flourish of cheese! To achieve that perfect golden-brown, bubbly crust that everyone loves, the entire dish is then topped with another liberal sprinkling of shredded mozzarella. This last layer of cheese is crucial for that irresistible, gooey finish that defines a truly comforting pasta bake. It’s this attention to detail in layering that transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
With all the layers perfectly assembled, your Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake is ready for its oven transformation. Bake it at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. We personally love our pasta bake with a slightly deeper, more caramelized crust on top, which adds an extra layer of flavor and texture. If you prefer a lighter golden finish, simply reduce the baking time by about 5 to 8 minutes. Serve this hearty and wholesome dish warm, directly from the oven, and watch it quickly disappear. It’s the ideal comforting meal for any night of the week, promising satisfied smiles around the dinner table. Enjoy the ease and deliciousness of this baked penne recipe!
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Print Recipe
Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts about 12 ounces, cooked and shredded
- 1/4 cup shallots finely chopped
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 24 ounce jar of your favorite pasta sauce
- 1 10 oz box penne pasta (high fiber or whole wheat recommended)
- 1 16 oz container Horizon Organic Low Fat Cottage Cheese
- 2 6oz packages Horizon Organic Mozzarella Shreds, divided
- 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 10oz package frozen spinach, defrosted and all liquid thoroughly squeezed out
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until it is al dente (firm to the bite). Drain the pasta thoroughly and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and chopped shallots, sautéing for about 4 minutes on each side until lightly browned. Pour in the chicken broth, cover the skillet, and cook for approximately 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and can be easily shredded. Remove chicken, shred, and return to skillet. Stir in the pasta sauce until well combined.
- Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Stir gently to ensure the pasta is fully coated. Transfer this mixture into your prepared 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- In a food processor, pulse the Horizon Organic Low Fat Cottage Cheese until it achieves a smooth, creamy texture. Transfer the pureed cottage cheese to a mixing bowl. Add one 6oz package of Horizon Organic Mozzarella Shreds and the fresh grated Parmesan cheese to the cottage cheese. Mix well. Divide this cheese mixture in half and set one half aside.
- To the remaining half of the cheese mixture in the food processor (or a separate bowl), add the defrosted and thoroughly squeezed spinach. Pulse or mix until the spinach is well incorporated into the cheese mixture, creating a vibrant green layer.
- Carefully spread the spinach-infused cheese mixture over the top of the pasta and chicken layer in the baking dish. Next, gently spread the reserved plain cheese mixture over the spinach layer. Finally, sprinkle the remaining 6oz package of Horizon Organic Mozzarella Shreds generously over the very top for a beautifully golden, bubbly crust.
- Bake the pasta bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the top is golden brown. For a lighter top, reduce baking time by 5-8 minutes.
Notes
We adore our pasta bake with a beautifully browned, slightly crispy top. If you prefer a lighter golden finish, feel free to reduce the baking time by about 5 to 8 minutes. Enjoy your comforting, homemade pasta bake! 😉
Nutrition
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More Wholesome Recipes and Connections
Ready to explore more delicious and wholesome recipes that your family will love? Head over to Horizon Organic’s official webpage for a treasure trove of inspiring meal ideas, focusing on high-quality, organic ingredients. Beyond their website, you can stay connected and discover fresh culinary inspiration by following Horizon Organic on their various social media channels. Join their vibrant community on Pinterest for beautiful food photography and curated recipe boards, like them on Facebook for updates and engaging content, follow their latest news and tips on Twitter, and feast your eyes on stunning food creations on Instagram. I personally follow them across all platforms, ensuring I never miss out on their latest offerings and delectable recipes. Their commitment to organic goodness makes them a brand I trust for my family’s meals.
This comprehensive article, highlighting the delightful Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake and the benefits of organic ingredients, is a sponsored conversation. All opinions and content expressed are genuinely my own, reflecting my authentic experience and appreciation for Horizon Organics products.