Creamy Sun Dried Tomato & Chicken Pasta Bake
This creamy and flavorful fall pasta bake comes together quickly, thanks to rotisserie chicken and jarred sun-dried tomatoes that flavor the sauce. This easy pasta bake is perfect for feeding a crowd. If you’re watching your sodium, you can cook and shred your own chicken in place of the rotisserie chicken.
Ingredients
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16 ounces whole-wheat penne
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2 cups drained sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
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2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil
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1/2 cup chopped shallots
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2 teaspoons grated garlic
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2 tablespoons tomato paste
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1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
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1 teaspoon ground pepper
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1/2 teaspoon salt
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10 ounces baby spinach (about 12 cups)
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1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
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1/2 cup half-and-half
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8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
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3 tablespoons low-fat sour cream
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4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
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1 cup shredded fontina cheese, divided
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1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
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Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional)
Description
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions; drain and transfer to a large heatproof mixing bowl.
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Place sun-dried tomatoes, tomato oil, shallots and garlic in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots soften, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, pepper and salt; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach, broth and half-and-half; cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.
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Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese and sour cream; cook, stirring, until melted and well combined, about 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook, stirring, until evenly coated and warmed through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup fontina.
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Carefully pour the sun-dried tomato mixture over the cooked pasta; stir until fully combined. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan and the remaining 1/4 cup fontina.
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Bake until the cheeses have melted and the pasta is warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper. Garnish with parsley, if desired.