Print

Four Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake

Four Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake

Four Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting, creamy dish combining tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious blend of ricotta, mozzarella, parmesan, and cheddar cheeses baked to golden perfection. This easy, cheesy meal suits family dinners or cozy nights and offers flexible ingredient options for various dietary preferences.

Ingredients

Scale

Proteins & Pasta

  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

Cheeses

  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Vegetables & Aromatics

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

Liquids & Fats

  • 1 cup heavy cream or milk
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Seasonings

  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat and sauté the chicken until cooked through and browned on the edges, locking in flavor and ensuring tenderness.
  2. Cook the Pasta: While the chicken cooks, boil pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside, preferring slightly firm pasta to avoid mushiness after baking.
  3. Make the Cheese Sauce: In the same pan, sauté minced garlic and chopped onions until fragrant. Add diced tomatoes, heavy cream (or milk), salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently. Stir in ricotta, mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses until melted and silky smooth.
  4. Combine Everything: Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the cheese sauce, stirring gently to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture into a greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
  5. Bake to Perfection: Top the pasta bake with extra grated mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden brown.

Notes

  • Use high-quality, fresh cheeses to maximize flavor and richness.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; keep it slightly firm for best texture after baking.
  • Season in layers throughout cooking to build a balanced, complex flavor.
  • Let the pasta bake rest 5–10 minutes after baking before serving for easier slicing and better flavor melding.
  • Adjust cheese proportions to customize creaminess and sharpness to your preference.

Nutrition

Keywords: four cheese pasta bake, chicken pasta bake, cheesy chicken bake, comfort food, baked pasta, creamy pasta bake