Deliciously Cheesy Chicken Ziti Bake
Indulge in the comforting goodness of this Cheesy Chicken Ziti Bake, a delightful twist on a classic dish! Tender strips of chicken meld perfectly with ziti pasta, luscious ricotta, and a robust tomato sauce infused with aromatic herbs. This recipe is wonderfully customizable—consider adding sautéed vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for extra nutrition and flavor. If you prefer a different type of pasta or more cheese, feel free to adapt the recipe to suit your family's tastes. Perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings, this dish can be layered or mixed together for convenience. Dive into this cheesy, hearty bake and enjoy every bite!
N/A
Servings
300
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breast
1/2 lb (cut into 1/4-inch strips)
onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
crushed tomatoes
28 ounces (canned)
pepper
1/2 teaspoon (to taste)
Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon (dried)
ziti or penne pasta
2 cups (uncooked)
ricotta cheese
2/3 cup (softened)
mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup (shredded)
parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons (grated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
In a large nonstick skillet, spray with nonstick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally until they are lightly browned and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
3
In the same skillet, add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
4
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened slightly.
5
While the sauce is simmering, cook the ziti pasta according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain the pasta and mix it with the ricotta cheese until well combined.
6
In a 13x9-inch baking pan, spread half of the tomato sauce mixture. Layer half of the ziti and ricotta mixture over the sauce, followed by the cooked chicken strips. Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the chicken, then top with the remaining ziti mixture.
7
For the final touch, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
8
Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the dish is hot and bubbling, and the cheese has melted to a golden perfection.
9
Serve hot and enjoy! For a time-saving option, you can use pre-cooked chicken strips to speed up the preparation.
Nutrition Information
9g
Fat
30g
Carbs
16g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Deliciously Cheesy Chicken Ziti Bake?
It is a comforting pasta dish featuring tender chicken strips, ziti or penne pasta, ricotta, and a robust tomato sauce topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan.
How many calories are in a serving of this chicken ziti bake?
There are approximately 300 calories per serving of this dish.
What is the protein content of this recipe?
This recipe contains 16g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in this chicken ziti bake?
Each serving contains 9g of fat.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How long does it take to bake the chicken ziti?
The dish should be baked for 15-20 minutes until hot, bubbling, and the cheese is golden.
What type of pasta can I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for ziti or penne pasta.
What are the three types of cheese used in this bake?
The recipe uses ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe?
Yes, using pre-cooked chicken strips is a great time-saving option to speed up the preparation.
What vegetables can I add to increase the nutrition?
You can add sauteed vegetables such as spinach or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
What size baking pan is needed?
A 13x9-inch baking pan is recommended for this recipe.
How should I prepare the chicken breast?
The boneless skinless chicken breast should be cut into 1/4-inch strips before cooking.
How long do I cook the chicken in the skillet?
Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
How long should the sauce simmer?
The tomato sauce mixture should simmer uncovered for 8-10 minutes until slightly thickened.
What ingredients are in the tomato sauce?
The sauce includes onion, garlic, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and pepper.
How much crushed tomatoes are required?
You will need one 28-ounce can of crushed tomatoes.
Do I need to cook the pasta before baking?
Yes, the pasta should be cooked according to the package directions and drained before being mixed with ricotta.
How should the dish be layered in the pan?
Layer half the sauce, half the pasta/ricotta, the chicken, the rest of the sauce, and the rest of the pasta/ricotta.
What is the role of ricotta cheese in this recipe?
The ricotta cheese is mixed with the cooked pasta to add a luscious, creamy texture to the bake.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe calls for 2 minced garlic cloves.
What kind of seasoning is used for the flavor profile?
Dried Italian seasoning and pepper are used to infuse the tomato sauce with aromatic flavor.
Is this dish suitable for gatherings?
Yes, it is perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings as it can be easily layered or mixed together.
How much mozzarella cheese should I sprinkle on top?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese for the topping.
What is the preparation for the onion?
One whole onion should be chopped before being sauteed with the garlic.
Can I adjust the amount of cheese in this recipe?
Yes, you can adapt the recipe by adding more cheese to suit your family's tastes.
What is the amount of Italian seasoning used?
The recipe requires 1 teaspoon of dried Italian seasoning.
How much ricotta cheese do I need?
The recipe calls for 2/3 cup of softened ricotta cheese.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 10 total ingredients in this recipe.
How much parmesan cheese is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of grated parmesan cheese for the final topping.