Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta Bake
Indulge in the comforting layers of our Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta Bake—a delightful casserole that seamlessly marries the flavors of classic tacos with hearty pasta. With tender penne tossed in seasoned ground chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a generous amount of cheese, this dish comes together easily, making it perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining friends. Using just-firm pasta ensures that it holds its shape and texture even as it bakes to cheesy perfection in the oven. Whether you're looking for a satisfying family dinner or a potluck staple, this casserole is sure to impress. Serve it alongside a fresh garden salad for a complete meal!
N/A
Servings
525
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
penne pasta
8-10 ounces (cooked to just firm-tender, drained)
ground chicken
2 lbs (uncooked)
onion
1 large (chopped)
fresh minced garlic
1 tablespoon (optional)
water
1 1/2 cups (or low-sodium chicken broth)
taco seasoning mix
1 (1 ounce) package (or homemade)
whole kernel corn
2 (11 ounce) cans (use corn mixed with sweet peppers if possible)
sliced pitted olives
2 1/2 cups (use large green pimento-stuffed or black)
grated cheddar cheese
3 cups (or to taste)
salsa
1 1/4 cups (or to taste)
green chili peppers
2 (4 ounce) cans (drained)
salt and pepper
to taste (optional)
green bell pepper
1 small (chopped, optional)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 3-quart casserole dish.
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground chicken and chopped onion until the chicken is browned and the onion is tender. If you prefer, add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
3
Pour in the water or chicken broth and sprinkle in the taco seasoning mix. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer uncovered for about 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
4
In the skillet, gently fold in the cooked penne pasta, corn, sliced olives, half of the grated cheddar cheese, salsa, drained green chili peppers, and chopped green bell pepper (if using). Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
5
Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
6
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes.
7
After 35 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
8
Return the casserole to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
9
Remove from the oven, let it cool slightly, and serve warm. Enjoy the delicious flavors!
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
65g
Carbs
31g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta Bake?
It is a comforting casserole that combines classic taco flavors with penne pasta, seasoned ground chicken, vegetables, and a generous amount of melted cheddar cheese.
What type of pasta should I use for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8-10 ounces of penne pasta, cooked until just firm-tender and drained.
What kind of meat is used in this taco pasta bake?
This recipe uses 2 lbs of uncooked ground chicken.
What oven temperature is required?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the casserole.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 525 calories.
Is there a specific size for the baking dish?
A 3-quart casserole dish is recommended for this recipe.
How much protein is in this pasta bake?
There are 31g of protein per serving.
What kind of cheese is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 3 cups of grated cheddar cheese, or more to taste.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 20g of fat per serving.
What are the carbohydrate contents of this dish?
One serving contains 65g of carbohydrates.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water for the sauce?
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of water or low-sodium chicken broth to help build the sauce.
Do I need to cook the ground chicken before baking?
Yes, you must cook the ground chicken and chopped onion in a skillet until the chicken is browned and the onion is tender.
How long should the chicken mixture simmer?
The chicken and taco seasoning mixture should simmer uncovered for about 10-12 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
What types of olives are suggested?
You can use 2 1/2 cups of large green pimento-stuffed or black sliced pitted olives.
Are green chili peppers included in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 (4 ounce) cans of drained green chili peppers.
How much taco seasoning is needed?
You will need 1 (1 ounce) package of taco seasoning mix, or an equivalent amount of homemade seasoning.
Do I bake the casserole covered or uncovered?
Initially, bake the dish covered with foil for 35 minutes, then uncover it for the final 10-15 minutes.
Is garlic required for this recipe?
Garlic is optional, but you can add 1 tablespoon of fresh minced garlic for extra fragrance and flavor.
What kind of corn should be used?
Use 2 (11 ounce) cans of whole kernel corn, ideally mixed with sweet peppers if available.
Is green bell pepper necessary?
The addition of 1 small chopped green bell pepper is optional but recommended for extra texture and flavor.
How much salsa is added to the mixture?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of salsa, or more according to your preference.
When do I add the cheese?
Half of the cheese is folded into the pasta mixture before baking, and the remaining half is sprinkled on top for the final 10-15 minutes of baking.
How long does the entire baking process take?
The total baking time is between 45 to 50 minutes.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients listed for this Cheesy Chicken Taco Pasta Bake.
Can I serve this with anything else?
The recipe suggests serving the casserole alongside a fresh garden salad for a complete meal.
Should the pasta be fully cooked before adding it to the skillet?
The pasta should be cooked to 'just firm-tender' so it maintains its shape during the baking process.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is tagged as a family-friendly, one-dish meal that is perfect for busy weeknights.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The casserole is done when the cheese on top is melted and bubbly.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 3-quart casserole dish.
Can I adjust the salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper can be added to taste as an optional final seasoning.