Let me let you know a few very particular pasta that I just lately launched into my life and has in some way managed to turn out to be one in every of our all-time favourite dinners to whip up. It’s stuffed with attractive shell pasta, tender rooster breast, candy caramelized onions, and nutritious spinach that in some way melts completely right into a creamy, but gentle parmesan cheese sauce.
Sure, you completely should meet my endlessly bff: this one pot unimaginable caramelized onion spinach rooster pasta bake. Also referred to as heaven on earth.
A few of my finest recipes come to me after I’m peeking round in my fridge, making an attempt to determine what to make to make use of up components with out going to the shop. This wholesome rooster pasta bake isn’t any completely different and is made with easy components that you just may have already got on-hand.
It’s creamy, barely candy because of these juicy caramelized browned onions, full of protein, and has some fairly superior lick-your-plate-clean kinda magic flavors taking place. I swear I might bathe within the parmesan cheese sauce that soaks up the brown bits on the backside of the pan from the caramelized onions and rooster.
Simply belief your pleasant neighborhood blogger and put this one in your menu ASAP.
Elements on this creamy rooster pasta bake
Admittedly I used to be feeling significantly impressed by the parmesan sauce in my more healthy tuna noodle casserole, and when I discovered two luggage of spinach that wanted for use up, an onion lurking within the pantry and a few parmesan, I knew magic was about to be made. Belief me, you’re going to fall in LOVE with this pasta and be amazed at how simple and scrumptious it was. Listed below are the components you want:
- Pasta: I like shells on this recipe however you should utilize any pasta you’d like — together with gluten free! I believe penne pasta or fusilli can be so enjoyable.
- Rooster: I like to make use of boneless skinless rooster breast, however rooster thighs can even work.
- Seasonings: the one seasonings you’ll want to present this recipe the proper taste are garlic powder, salt & pepper. You possibly can additionally add a kick of warmth with crimson pepper flakes should you’re feeling a bit wild!
- Veggies: we’re utilizing TWO full luggage of spinach, which is able to seem to be it’s lots, however it cooks down a ton and is ideal combined in with the pasta and sauce. You’ll even be caramelizing some onions!
- For the sauce: that creamy parmesan sauce is made with butter, flour, milk, and parmesan cheese. Be happy to make use of any milk you’d like, in addition to all function. complete wheat, or gluten free flour. That’s proper, there’s no cream concerned, however it tastes like a greater alfredo sauce!
- Breadcrumbs: for the toasty breadcrumb topping. Be happy to make use of gluten free breadcrumbs!
Customise this wholesome rooster pasta bake
Be happy to make this wholesome rooster pasta bake your individual! Right here’s what I can advocate for substitutions and/or additions:
- Select your veggies: I believe this recipe can be scrumptious with mushrooms, peas, broccoli and even solar dried or common tomatoes.
- Make it vegetarian: be at liberty to throw in some chickpeas as an alternative of the rooster.
- Go gluten free: merely use your fav gluten free noodles, gluten free all function flour within the sauce, and gluten free breadcrumbs on high. You possibly can additionally substitute crushed up gluten free tortilla chips, potato chips or crackers for the topping!
- Strive it dairy free: I recommend utilizing vegan butter, a dairy free milk of alternative (just like the almond milk listed) and dairy free parmesan cheese.
In search of a fast protein choice?
You possibly can simply throw in some shredded rotisserie rooster as an alternative of cooking the rooster for this pasta casserole! It’s a good way to make use of up leftover rooster, too.
Stovetop choice
If you happen to desire, you’ll be able to skip the bread crumbs and the baking of the pasta. We do that usually after we wish to eat shortly and it’s nonetheless simply as scrumptious! Be happy to crumble crackers on high should you’d nonetheless like a bit buttery crunch.
How you can caramelize onions
I do know caramelizing onions can really feel intimidating, however it’s simpler to do than you suppose!
- Add in ½ tablespoon olive oil or butter, sliced onions and salt and pepper to a big pot and place over medium warmth; stir to coat.
- Prepare dinner onions, stirring often; examine your onions each 5-10 minutes till they’ve fully caramelized and turned golden brown.
- If the onions seem like getting too darkish or sticking an excessive amount of to the underside of the pan, then merely cut back the warmth a bit. You too can add a teaspoon or two of water.
Make it forward of time
- Prep it forward of time: be at liberty to make this rooster pasta bake forward of time and bake it a day or two later! Merely make the recipe as directed, besides don’t add the breadcrumbs. As an alternative, cowl with foil and place in fridge till able to bake. As soon as able to bake, add the breadcrumbs as directed and bake. You make want so as to add 5-10 minutes of additional baking time.
- Freezer-friendly choice: if you wish to make this rooster pasta bake forward of time, merely make the recipe as directed, besides don’t bake it with the breadcrumbs on high. As an alternative, put it in a freezer-safe container pan like these, cowl and place it in a freezer protected bag till you’re able to bake. As soon as able to bake, thaw out the rooster pasta bake within the fridge in a single day. As soon as thawed, bake as directed!
Storing suggestions
Retailer any leftover rooster pasta bake in hermetic containers within the fridge for as much as 3-4 days. Merely reheat leftovers within the microwave till heat. In any other case, observe the freezing directions above!
Easier pasta recipes to strive
Get all of my scrumptious pasta recipes right here!
I do know you’re going to LOVE this spinach rooster pasta bake! You should definitely go away a remark and fee the recipe under should you make it. Thanks for being right here — I admire you! xo.
Unimaginable Caramelized Onion Spinach Rooster Pasta Bake
Whole Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Unimaginable caramelized onion spinach rooster pasta bake made with two full luggage of spinach for further veggies and a creamy, lightened up parmesan cheese sauce. This protein-packed, wholesome rooster pasta bake is the proper weeknight dinner if you’re craving one thing heat and comforting!
Elements
- For the pasta:
-
10
ounces
dry pasta shells (or use rotini, fusilli, or no matter pasta you’d like — even gluten free!) - For the rooster:
-
1
tablespoon
olive oil -
1
pound
boneless skinless rooster breast, diced into ½ inch cubes -
½
teaspoon
garlic powder - Freshly floor salt and pepper
- For the caramelized onions & spinach:
-
½
tablespoon
olive oil (or butter) -
1
very massive (or 2 medium) yellow onions, sliced - Freshly floor salt and pepper
-
10-12
ounces
recent spinach - For the parmesan cheese sauce:
-
2
tablespoons
butter -
1/4
cup
all function flour (or complete wheat flour or all function gluten free flour) -
1 3/4
cup
unsweetened almond milk (or cashew milk or common milk) -
½
cup
grated parmesan cheese -
¾
teaspoon
salt -
½
teaspoon
garlic powder - Freshly floor black pepper
- For the topping:
-
1/2
cup
breadcrumbs, gluten free if desired -
1
tablespoon
butter
Directions
-
Preheat your oven to 350 levels Spray a 2-quart baking dish or 9×9 inch or 11×7 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, or grease with olive oil or butter.
-
Boil the noodles till al dente, in response to the instructions on the package deal. As soon as completed cooking, drain and put aside.
-
Prepare dinner your rooster: add ½ tablespoon olive oil to a big pot and place over medium excessive warmth. Add in diced rooster, season with garlic powder and salt and pepper; prepare dinner for 5-7 minutes or till rooster is now not pink. Switch rooster to a big bowl as soon as completed cooking.
-
In the identical pot you cooked rooster, you’ll be able to caramelize your onions: add in ½ tablespoon olive oil or butter, onions and salt and pepper; stir to coat. Prepare dinner onions, stirring often; examine your onions each 5-10 minutes till they’ve fully caramelized and turned golden brown. If the onions seem like getting too darkish or sticking an excessive amount of to the underside of the pan, then merely cut back the warmth a bit. You too can add in a number of teaspoons of water to assist deglaze the pan. As soon as the onions have caramelized, cut back warmth to low and stir in spinach with the onions; prepare dinner till spinach wilts. Take away from warmth and switch to the bowl with the rooster.
-
In the identical pot, add in 2 tablespoons of butter and place over medium warmth. As soon as butter is melted, whisk in a bit little bit of the flour after which slowly add in milk, a bit bit at a time, alternating with the flour and vigorously whisking away any lumps. Carry combination to a boil, then cut back warmth to a simmer and stir on occasion, till the sauce thickens up.
-
As soon as sauce has thickened up a bit, flip off the warmth and stir in garlic powder, parmesan cheese. salt and LOTS of freshly floor black pepper.
-
Subsequent stir in cooked noodles, spinach and caramelized onions and rooster. Season once more with salt and pepper, to style. Pour combination into your ready baking pan and unfold out.
-
In a small bowl, combine breadcrumbs with melted butter. Sprinkle breadcrumb combination on high of casserole and bake for 25 minutes or till breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serves 6.
Recipe Notes
If you happen to desire, you’ll be able to skip the breadcrumbs and the baking of the pasta. We do that usually after we wish to eat faster and it is nonetheless simply as scrumptious! Be happy to crumble crackers on high should you’d nonetheless like a bit buttery crunch.
Freezer pleasant choice: merely make the recipe as directed, besides don’t bake it with the breadcrumbs on high. As an alternative, put it in a freezer-safe container pan like these, cowl and place in a freezer protected bag till you’re able to bake. As soon as able to bake, thaw out the rooster pasta bake within the fridge in a single day. As soon as thawed, bake as directed!
Diet
Servings: 6 servings
Serving measurement: 1 serving (primarily based on 6)
Energy: 434kcal
Fats: 15.5g
Saturated fats: 6g
Carbohydrates: 50.4g
Fiber: 3.9g
Sugar: 3.5g
Protein: 27.4g
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Formidable Kitchen | Images by: Eat Love Eats
This publish was initially revealed on March nineteenth, 2020, and republished on February twenty sixth, 2023.
