Dump and Bake Pasta
The easiest weeknight pasta bake for busy families
If the idea of putting on a pot to boil and dealing with scalding hot pasta water is enough of a deterrent for you, you’ve got to try this dump and bake method!
If there is one dish I would want my teens to master, this Dump and Bake Chicken Pasta would be it! With minimal pantry staples and a few kitchen must-haves, you (ahem….they) can pull this casserole together in no time.
Everything goes into one 9 x 13 baking dish - and you’ll only need to clean this ONE dish - baked up to perfection and enjoyed by all.
Besides, what we know to be true has just been proven. Eat your carbs!
Dump and Bake Pasta
Ingredients:
1 lb of your favourite short, dry pasta (I like penne or rigatoni)
1 660 ml jar of your favourite marinara sauce (this one is my go-to)
4 chicken thighs or 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 tsp garlic powder
S&P
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan
1/2 cup panko bread crumbs (I like the crunch of these)
cooking spray or butter to help crisp up the breadcrumbs
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 425F.
In a 9 x 13” baking dish, add the dry pasta and the jar of marinara sauce. Then fill the jar with the same amount of water, give the jar a shake to clean it and then dump all that water in with the pasta and the sauce.
Add in the chicken and top with garlic powder and salt & pepper. Give everything a stir.
Cook this covered for 30 minutes. Then remove from the oven and top with the mozzarella, parmesan, panko breadcrumbs and a little spray of oil to help those crumbs get crispy.
Place the dish back in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
Garnish with parsley and dig in!
Let’s Get Cooking!
PS: Want to make this dish even easier to make? Check out my FREE Kitchen Staples Checklist that you can download. I promise that if you have these staples on hand, simple, quick and delicious meals like this one will practically make themselves! Ummm….sign me up for that!
What did you think? Don’t forget to tag me @christies.lovestory. I love seeing your kitchen creations!