Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta Bake

Name: Creamy Chicken and Tomato Pasta Bake
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 tsp onion powder; 1 tsp Italian seasoning; 1 lb Cellentani pasta; 2 tbsp minced garlic; 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce; 1 jar (15 oz) alfredo sauce; 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese; 1 tbsp dried parsley, for garnish

This creamy chicken and tomato pasta bake merges marinara and alfredo sauces into one rich, satisfying dish that comes together in under 30 minutes with minimal ingredients.

🌍Italian-American 🏷️Pasta bake 🏷️Chicken pasta 🏷️Creamy pasta 🏷️Tomato cream sauce Weeknight dinner

🏷️

🏷️30-minute meal

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Total

30 min

Servings

6

Difficulty

Easy

Est. Cost

$26–$43

Recipe Source

View original recipe

From TikTok · by cookinginthemidwest

-0:00

cookinginthemidwestonTikTok

Ingredients

1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 lb Cellentani pasta
2 tbsp minced garlic
1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
1 jar (15 oz) alfredo sauce
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tbsp dried parsley, for garnishoptional

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Instructions

1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Add the bite-sized chicken pieces and season with salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
3
While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
4
Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
5
Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken.
6
Pour in the entire jar of marinara sauce and the entire jar of alfredo sauce. Stir everything together until the chicken and pasta are fully coated in the sauce.
7
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta.
8
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or just until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9
Remove from the oven and garnish with dried parsley before serving.

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Tips & Notes

Pro tips

Dice chicken into uniform bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly in under 30 minutes.
Bloom the dried seasonings (paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning) in hot oil for 30 seconds to deepen their flavor before adding chicken.
Stir sauces together gently with pasta off heat to avoid breaking the noodles; fold rather than toss.
If sauce seems too thick after mixing, thin with 2-3 tbsp pasta water or chicken broth to reach a creamy consistency.

Substitutions

Cellentani pasta → penne or rigatoni (similar sauce-holding shape)
Chicken breast → chicken thighs (more forgiving, slightly richer; reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes)
Marinara sauce → crushed tomatoes with 1 tsp sugar (adjust seasoning to taste)

Storage & make-ahead

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or in the microwave with a splash of milk to restore creaminess.