Description
A hearty, satisfying Italian-inspired bake featuring ziti pasta, shredded chicken, rich tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. This dish is simple to prepare for a weeknight dinner or a gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
- Olive oil
- 1 Yellow onion, chopped
- Garlic, minced
- 1 can Canned whole peeled plum tomatoes
- 1 can Canned crushed tomatoes
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper, to taste
- Ziti pasta, uncooked
- Shredded rotisserie chicken
- Fresh basil leaves
- Cooking spray
- Parmesan cheese, grated
- Shredded low-moisture whole-milk mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add the onion and cook, stirring, until translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add both types of tomatoes, salt, pepper, and red pepper to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the ziti pasta and cook until it is just al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the pot.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Stir the tomato sauce mixture, shredded chicken, and basil into the cooked ziti.
- Pour half of the ziti mixture into a 13- x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Top this layer with 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining ziti mixture on top, followed by the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.
- Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
- This casserole is good for making ahead of time; assemble it completely, cover it, and refrigerate it up to one day before baking. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the refrigerator.
- You can substitute the rotisserie chicken with 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken breast.
- For a creamier texture, stir in 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese with the tomato sauce and chicken mixture before layering in the baking dish.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 40 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Unsaturated Fat: 13
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 90
Keywords: Baked Chicken Ziti Casserole, chicken ziti bake, chicken pasta casserole recipe, easy chicken casserole, Italian baked pasta, weeknight dinner