Looking for a comforting dinner that’ll please the whole family? Jamie Oliver’s chicken pasta bake is exactly what you need! I’ve been making this recipe for years, and it never fails to bring smiles around our dinner table. This one-pan wonder combines tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich, cheesy sauce that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Let me walk you through how to make this amazing dish that’s perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings. Trust me, you’ll want to add this to your regular rotation!
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Pasta Bake
Before diving into the recipe, let’s talk about why this dish is so awesome:
- One-pan meal: Everything comes together in a single baking dish, making cleanup super easy
- Perfect for leftovers: Great way to use up leftover chicken or pasta
- Crowd-pleaser: Even picky eaters love this cheesy, creamy goodness
- Customizable: Easily add veggies or adjust seasonings to your taste
- Comfort food at its best: Cheesy, creamy, and packed with flavor
Ingredients You’ll Need
For this incredible pasta bake that serves 4-6 people you’ll need
- 300g (10.5 oz) pasta (penne or fusilli work best)
- 500g (1 lb) cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 400g (14 oz) canned tomatoes, crushed or chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 200ml (7 fl oz) chicken stock
- 200ml (7 fl oz) double cream or crème fraîche
- 150g (5 oz) grated mozzarella
- 50g (1.75 oz) grated parmesan
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your pasta according to package instructions until it’s al dente (slightly firm). Remember to slightly undercook it as it’ll continue cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
Step 2: Sauté the Onions and Garlic
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add your chopped onion and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until it’s fragrant. This creates the flavor base for our sauce!
Step 3: Prepare the Tomato Sauce
Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste dried oregano, and chicken stock to the pan with the onions and garlic. Stir everything together then bring the mixture to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10-12 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken a bit. Season with salt and pepper to your liking.
Step 4: Add the Cream and Chicken
Once your sauce has thickened slightly, stir in the double cream and cooked chicken. Let it simmer for another 5 minutes to warm the chicken through and allow the flavors to blend together. The sauce should be creamy and coating the chicken nicely.
Step 5: Combine the Pasta and Sauce
Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan) or 400°F. In a large baking dish, combine the cooked pasta with your creamy chicken tomato sauce. Make sure all the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
Step 6: Add the Cheese Topping
Now for the best part – cheese! Sprinkle the grated mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top of your pasta. This will create that amazing golden, crispy layer that everyone fights over.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake your pasta in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and turned a beautiful golden brown color on top. The edges should be bubbling nicely.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Remove your baked pasta from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes (trust me, it’s HOT right out of the oven!). Garnish with some fresh basil or parsley if you like, and serve with a side salad or garlic bread.
My Top Tips for Pasta Bake Perfection
After making this dish countless times, I’ve picked up some handy tricks:
- Don’t overcook the pasta initially – keep it al dente as it’ll continue cooking in the oven
- Mix your cheeses – the combo of mozzarella and parmesan gives amazing flavor and texture
- Season generously – don’t be shy with salt, pepper, and herbs
- For extra creaminess, use crème fraîche instead of regular cream
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or roasted peppers for extra nutrition and flavor
- For a spicy kick, add some chili flakes to the tomato sauce
Delicious Variations to Try
Wanna switch things up? Here are some tasty variations:
- Spicy version: Add chili flakes or hot sauce to the tomato sauce
- Vegetarian option: Swap the chicken for roasted veggies or tofu
- Gluten-free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta
- Lighter version: Use half-fat cream or a tomato-based sauce without cream
- Seafood twist: Replace chicken with cooked shrimp or tuna
What to Serve with Your Pasta Bake
This pasta bake is hearty enough on its own, but these sides complement it perfectly:
- Garlic bread (my personal fave!)
- Green salad with a light vinaigrette
- Roasted veggies like broccoli or carrots
- Sautéed greens like spinach or kale
- Bruschetta for a fresh starter
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (we rarely do in my house!), here’s how to store and reheat them:
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days
- Freeze: This dish freezes well for up to 3 months
- Reheat in oven: Cover with foil and warm at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes
- Microwave: For individual portions, microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway
Healthier Tweaks
Wanna make this dish a bit lighter? Try these adjustments:
- Use whole wheat pasta for extra fiber
- Sub half the cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk
- Add extra veggies like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers
- Use lean chicken breast instead of thighs
- Reduce the cheese on top (though I personally could never!)
Common Questions About Jamie’s Chicken Pasta Bake
Do I need to boil pasta before baking it?
Yes! Most pasta bakes, including Jamie’s, require pre-boiling the pasta until it’s almost done (al dente), then finishing it in the oven.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the whole dish, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
What type of chicken works best?
Both chicken breast and thighs work great. Breast is leaner, while thighs are juicier and more flavorful. Just make sure it’s cooked before adding to the pasta bake.
How do I know when it’s done baking?
The cheese on top should be melted and golden brown, and the edges should be bubbling. If you insert a knife into the center, it should come out hot.
Can I add vegetables to this recipe?
Definitely! Spinach, mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and broccoli all work wonderfully in this pasta bake.
Final Thoughts
Jamie Oliver’s chicken pasta bake has become a staple in our household, and I hope it’ll become one in yours too! There’s something so satisfying about pulling a bubbling, cheesy pasta bake out of the oven on a busy weeknight.
What I love most about this recipe is how versatile it is – you can stick to the classic version or get creative with your own twists. Either way, you’ll end up with a delicious, comforting meal that brings everyone to the table.
So grab your baking dish and get cooking! I’d love to hear how your Jamie Oliver chicken pasta bake turns out. Did you make any special additions? Share your experience in the comments!
Happy cooking!
Best Practices to Store Jamie Oliver Chicken Pasta Bake
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: This dish freezes well. Allow it to cool completely before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Mason jars: Portion out the pasta into individual mason jars for easy grab-and-go meals.
Instructions to Make Jamie Oliver Chicken Pasta Bake
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.