Description
Creamy Italian Bake delivers a symphony of Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate. Hearty layers of tender pasta, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese promise a comforting meal that transports you straight to an Italian kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg) chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
- 6 links Italian sausage (cooked and chopped into bite-sized pieces)
Vegetables:
- 1 onion (finely chopped)
- 2 bell peppers (1 red and 1 green; cut into chunks)
Base and Finishing Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 g) pasta (penne, macaroni, shells, or preferred variety)
- 2 jars spaghetti sauce (Hunt’s recommended)
- 1 package pizza cheese blend (including mozzarella, cheddar, and assorted cheeses)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center for even heating.
- In a skillet over medium heat, thoroughly cook chicken breasts until no pink remains. Remove from heat, let cool for 5 minutes, then slice into uniform bite-sized cubes.
- Using the same skillet, brown Italian sausage links until fully cooked. Allow to cool briefly, then dice into small, consistent pieces.
- Finely chop one medium onion and cut red and green bell peppers into uniform chunks.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Drain completely in a colander and set aside.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced chicken, sausage pieces, onion, and bell pepper chunks. Pour spaghetti sauce over the mixture and gently fold until all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixed ingredients into a deep 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading the contents smoothly and evenly across the bottom.
- Generously sprinkle shredded pizza cheese blend over the entire surface, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly crust with slightly crispy edges.
Notes
- Prep ahead saves time by cooking meats and veggies earlier in the day.
- Swap regular pasta with gluten-free or whole wheat options for dietary preferences.
- Mix different cheese varieties like mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone for deeper flavor complexity.
- Choose spicy Italian sausage to add extra kick and warmth to the casserole.
- Fresh herbs like basil or oregano can elevate the overall taste when sprinkled on top before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking, Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 486 kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 915mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 92mg