Description
A wholesome and flavorful healthy chicken pasta bake featuring wholemeal penne, vibrant vegetables, tender chicken, and a smoky tomato sauce, topped with creamy ricotta and mature cheddar, perfect for a nutritious family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Baking Toppings
- 300g wholemeal penne
- 100g ricotta
- 20g finely grated mature cheddar
Vegetables and Sauce
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 2 peppers (1 yellow and 1 orange), deseeded and chopped
- 1 large courgette (160g), coarsely grated
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely grated
- 500g carton passata
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1½ tsp vegetable bouillon powder
- 1 tsp chilli powder (optional)
- 25g Kalamata olives (about 8), sliced
- large handful of basil, chopped, plus extra to serve
Protein
- 400g chicken breasts (2 large), cut into pieces
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Begin by cooking the wholemeal penne according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water for later use.
- Prepare the Sauce Base: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the chopped peppers and fry for about 8 minutes, stirring frequently until they start to soften.
- Add Vegetables and Flavors: Stir in the grated courgette and finely grated garlic, cooking for a few more minutes. Then add the passata, smoked paprika, vegetable bouillon powder, optional chili powder, and sliced Kalamata olives. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 3 to 4 minutes to develop the flavors.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Add the drained pasta, raw chicken pieces, half a mug of the reserved pasta water, and the chopped basil into the pan with the sauce. Stir everything together thoroughly to evenly distribute ingredients.
- Transfer to Baking Dish and Add Toppings: Pour the combined mixture into a baking dish. In a separate bowl, mix the ricotta with 5 tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until smooth, then spread this mixture evenly over the pasta bake. Sprinkle the finely grated mature cheddar on top.
- Bake Until Golden: Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan) / Gas Mark 4. Bake the pasta for 35 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and formed a golden crust and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven, scatter with extra fresh basil leaves if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, add the full teaspoon of chili powder; omit it for milder flavor.
- Ensure chicken pieces are cut uniformly to cook evenly during baking.
- Reserve pasta water as it helps loosen the sauce and binds ingredients well.
- You can substitute chicken breasts with thighs for a juicier result.
- Use a fan-assisted oven for even cooking and browning on top.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-inspired
Keywords: healthy chicken pasta bake, wholemeal penne recipe, chicken pasta bake with vegetables, ricotta pasta bake, smoked paprika pasta bake
