Indulge in the delectable flavors of Spinach Chicken Macaroni Bake, a culinary symphony that harmonizes tender chicken, vibrant spinach, and creamy macaroni in a symphony of cheesy goodness. This versatile dish tantalizes taste buds with its comforting and flavorful appeal, making it perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or cozy weekend meals. As you embark on this culinary journey, discover two exceptional variations of this classic casserole: the classic Spinach Chicken Macaroni Bake, a timeless recipe that embodies comfort food, and the lightened-up version, a healthier rendition that maintains the dish's quintessential flavors while accommodating dietary preferences. Both recipes offer an explosion of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more.
Let's cook with our recipes!
CHICKEN, SPINACH, AND CHEESE PASTA BAKE
Pasta, chicken, spinach, and cheese baked to bubbly perfection.
Provided by jr911
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil; add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onion in hot oil until tender, 5 to 7 minutes.
- Mix penne pasta, onion, chicken, diced tomatoes, spinach, and cream cheese together in a baking dish until the cream cheese melts and coats everything. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture. Cover baking dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until heated through and beginning to brown along the edges, about 15 minutes more.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 544.2 calories, Carbohydrate 53.2 g, Cholesterol 85.3 mg, Fat 21.7 g, Fiber 6.4 g, Protein 34.2 g, SaturatedFat 10.2 g, Sodium 331.9 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
SPINACH AND CHICKEN CASSEROLE
My son, who is an extremely picky eater, loves this quick and simple dish. It's great for pot-luck dinners.
Provided by T.C.
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Chicken Chicken Breast Recipes
Time 2h45m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place chicken in a bowl and pour in enough Italian salad dressing to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator, 2 to 3 hours.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Drain and discard marinade from chicken and season chicken with garlic powder and lemon pepper. Transfer seasoned chicken to a casserole dish. Layer spinach over chicken.
- Mix cream cheese, chives, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper together in a bowl. Slowly pour chicken broth into cream cheese mixture, stirring until mixture is smooth; pour over chicken and spinach. Cover casserole dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove foil and top chicken mixture with mozzarella cheese; cook until chicken is no longer pink in the center and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 601 calories, Carbohydrate 8.8 g, Cholesterol 138.4 mg, Fat 51.3 g, Fiber 1 g, Protein 27.5 g, SaturatedFat 21.8 g, Sodium 1417.8 mg, Sugar 4.3 g
CHICKEN AND SPINACH PASTA CASSEROLE RECIPE
A delicious and simple casserole filled with yummy chicken, pasta and spinach!
Provided by Camille Beckstrand
Categories Main Course
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Spray 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
- Place spinach on paper towel and squeeze until almost all moisture has been removed.
- Add oil to a large nonstick skillet and place over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté until tender.
- Add chicken and cook until no longer pink, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato paste, basil, oregano and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.
- Simmer 5 minutes, uncovered stirring occasionally.
- Combine pasta, spinach, chicken mixture and 1/4 cup cheese in a large mixing bowl.
- Spoon into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake for 20 minutes and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 358 kcal, Carbohydrate 51 g, Protein 26 g, Fat 7 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 43 mg, Sodium 897 mg, Fiber 6 g, Sugar 10 g, ServingSize 1 serving
Tips:
- For a creamy sauce, use a combination of milk and cream. If you prefer a lighter sauce, use all milk.
- To make the dish more flavorful, add a teaspoon of Italian seasoning or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- For a cheesy macaroni bake, add a cup of shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella cheese to the sauce.
- If you don't have any cooked chicken, you can use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken from another meal.
- To save time, use frozen spinach instead of fresh spinach.
- For a healthier dish, use whole-wheat macaroni and low-fat milk.
Conclusion:
Spinach chicken macaroni bake is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With a few simple ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy.
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