Cheesy Italian Chicken Roll-Ups with Spaghetti
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of our Cheesy Italian Chicken Roll-Ups, a delightful dish that's perfect for family meals or gatherings. This recipe features tender, pounded chicken breasts stuffed with a creamy blend of ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, fresh herbs, and topped with a rich Italian tomato sauce. Baked to perfection and finished with melty mozzarella, these roll-ups are served alongside spaghetti for a classic Italian experience. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, this dish is a hearty crowd-pleaser that brings a taste of Italy to your dinner table.
6
Servings
200
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Italian-style tomato sauce
3 cups (divided, 1 cup reserved for serving)
boneless skinless chicken breast halves
6 (pounded to 1/4 inch thickness)
mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup (shredded, for topping)
spaghetti
as needed (cooked according to package instructions)
low-fat ricotta cheese
1/2 cup (used for stuffing)
grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons (2 tablespoons for stuffing, 1 tablespoon for garnish)
snipped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (fresh, for stuffing)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breast halves between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, pound them to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
3
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the low-fat ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and snipped fresh parsley until well-mixed. Set aside.
4
Spoon approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto each pounded chicken breast, distributing it evenly.
5
Fold in the long sides of the chicken breasts and carefully roll from the short end to create a tight roll. Secure with toothpicks if necessary, and place seam side down in a lightly greased 8x8 inch baking dish.
6
Pour 2 cups of the Italian-style tomato sauce over the stuffed chicken rolls. Reserve 1 cup of sauce for serving later.
7
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
8
Remove the baking dish from the oven and take off the foil. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the chicken roll-ups.
9
Return the chicken to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 4 to 5 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
10
While the chicken is finishing baking, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente.
11
In a small saucepan, heat the reserved 1 cup of spaghetti sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally.
12
To serve, place a serving of spaghetti on each plate, topping it with one or two chicken roll-ups. Drizzle some of the heated sauce over the chicken and spaghetti.
13
Garnish with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired and enjoy your homemade Italian feast!
Nutrition Information
7g
Fat
15g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Cheesy Italian Chicken Roll-Ups with Spaghetti?
It is a dish featuring tender chicken breasts stuffed with ricotta and Parmesan, topped with tomato sauce and mozzarella, and served with spaghetti.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How thick should I pound the chicken breasts?
The chicken should be pounded to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch.
What ingredients are used for the cheese filling?
The filling consists of low-fat ricotta cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and snipped fresh parsley.
How much ricotta cheese is needed?
You will need 1/2 cup of low-fat ricotta cheese.
How much Parmesan cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 3 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese in total.
How much mozzarella cheese is required for the topping?
Use 1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese for the topping.
How long should the chicken bake while covered?
Bake the chicken covered for 35 to 40 minutes.
Should I cover the baking dish with foil?
Yes, cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to keep the moisture in during the initial bake.
How do I secure the chicken rolls?
You can secure the rolls with toothpicks if necessary and place them seam side down.
When do I add the mozzarella cheese?
Add the mozzarella after the initial 35-40 minutes of baking once the foil is removed.
How much tomato sauce is needed for this recipe?
A total of 3 cups of Italian-style tomato sauce is used.
How much sauce is poured over the chicken before baking?
Pour 2 cups of the sauce over the stuffed chicken rolls before putting them in the oven.
Why is some tomato sauce reserved?
One cup of sauce is reserved to be heated and drizzled over the chicken and spaghetti for serving.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A lightly greased 8x8 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 200 calories.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 20g of protein per serving.
How much fat is in a serving?
There are 7g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
Each serving contains 15g of carbohydrates.
How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?
The chicken is done when it is no longer pink in the center and reaches a safe internal temperature.
How long do I bake the chicken after adding mozzarella?
Bake uncovered for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly.
What type of pasta should be served with the chicken?
Spaghetti is the recommended pasta for this recipe.
Should the spaghetti be cooked al dente?
Yes, cook the spaghetti according to package directions until it is al dente.
Is there a garnish suggested for this dish?
You can garnish the dish with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
What type of parsley should I use?
The recipe suggests using snipped fresh parsley.
Can I use skinless chicken breasts?
Yes, the recipe specifically calls for 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves.
Is this recipe considered easy to prepare?
Yes, it is described as an easy recipe that is sure to impress.
What category does this recipe fall into?
This is an Italian comfort food dish suitable for family meals.
How much filling goes into each chicken roll?
Spoon approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture onto each chicken breast.