Baked ziti is one of my all time favorite dishes, if not THE favorite. It makes me think of special occasions growing up and has become my comfort food extraordinaire. I love to take the classic baked ziti and twist it up. With cravings for comfort food and a garden full of basil, there was only one thing to do.
Yield: 4

Cheesy Pesto and Chicken Pasta Bake in 30 Minutes
Clocking in at 30 minutes from prep to plate, I couldn’t ask for much more!
Prep time: 15 MinCook time: 15 MinTotal time: 30 Min
Ingredients
- 1 pound dried ziti or penne pasta
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup flour
- 3 cup milk
- 8 ounces pesto (If using store bought pesto, start with 4 oz and add a little at a time, to taste)
- 8 ounces shredded Italian cheese blend (mozzarella, start with 4 oz and add a little at a time, to taste) provolone, romano, fontina, asiago, and parmesan)
- 12 ounces precooked chicken, diced
- 8 ounces tomato sauce (or favorite pasta sauce)
- 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 5 ounces fresh Parmesan cheese, start with 4 ounces and add a little at a time, to taste) provolone, romano, fontina, asiago, and parmesan) grated, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F.
- Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add a handful of salt. Cook pasta to al dente; meaning it still has a little bite to it. Al dente pasta absorbs sauce better while it cooks and this is going into the oven.
- Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pan (about 4 quarts) over medium heat, melt butter, add flour and whisk for 2 to 3 minutes to cook out the "flour-y" taste. Add milk whisk to combine. Add pesto and whisk together. Once combined add Italian cheese and ½ of Parmesan cheese. Stir with a spoon to combine. Allow to simmer until pasta is cooked.
- Add chicken to the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish and pour pesto cheese sauce over top. Add pasta. Stir to combine and mix well. Smooth pasta with a spoon and pour tomato sauce over top. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and remaining parmesan cheese on the top.
- Place baking dish on a cookie sheet and bake for 6-8 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve and enjoy!
cheesy pesto? Awesome. I like this idea alot I am going to use it on more than just pasta:) like everything
ReplyDeleteThe cold temps last week finished off my basil :(
ReplyDeleteI just made the cheesy pesto chicken pasta and it was AMAZING! Way better than Olive Garden! My husband's new favorite:) Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI just made the cheesy pesto chicken pasta and it was AMAZING! Seriously this was way better than Olive Garden and it's my husband new favorite dinner:) Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteI have made this several times, and all I can say is wow! This is on our weekly menu and we all can't wait to eat it every week!
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