Chicken, spinach and sundried tomato pasta bake
Try this creamy Chicken, Spinach, and Sundried Tomato Pasta Bake — a quick, delicious, and family-friendly dinner perfect for busy weeknights
Ingredients
- 300 grams pasta penne or fusilli
- 2 chicken breasts diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic finely chopped
- 100 grams sundried tomatoes chopped
- 150 grams fresh spinach
- 300 ml cream
- 100 grams grated cheese
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- salt & pepper
- fresh basil for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until just undercooked (al dente). Drain and set aside.
- Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed. Sauté onion and garlic until soft. Stir in sundried tomatoes, spinach, cream, and oregano. Cook until the spinach wilts and the sauce is heated through.
- Combine: Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Mix well to coat everything evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Assemble the bake: Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan / 400°F). Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Sprinkle the grated cheese and parmesan evenly on top.
- Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden and bubbling.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil if desired. Serve warm with a side salad or garlic bread.
Notes
Kid-Friendly Tweaks:
- Milder flavors: Reduce garlic and skip chili flakes to keep the flavors gentle for toddlers.
- Chop finely: Dice chicken, sundried tomatoes, and veggies into small pieces so they’re easy to eat.
- Hidden greens: Puree spinach into the cream sauce — kids often won’t notice it, but it adds nutrition.
- Cheese love: Mix extra mild cheddar or mozzarella into the sauce for a gooey, comforting texture kids adore.
- Fun shapes: Use pasta shapes like shells, fusilli, or mini penne — visually fun pasta makes mealtime exciting.
- Sneaky sweetness: Add a small grated carrot or roasted red pepper for natural sweetness without changing the taste much.
- Top with a crunch: A light sprinkle of breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes on top gives a crispy texture kids love.
- Make it “DIY”: Serve the bake in small bowls and let older kids sprinkle their own cheese or toppings — makes it interactive and fun.