Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Chicken Pasta Bake

4.9

(13)

8 Reviews

This creamy and flavorful fall pasta bake comes together quickly, thanks to rotisserie chicken and jarred sun-dried tomatoes that flavor the sauce. This easy pasta bake is perfect for feeding a crowd. If you’re watching your sodium, you can cook and shred your own chicken in place of the rotisserie chicken.

Amanda Holstein

Updated on January 16, 2024

Reviewed by Dietitian

Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Tested by

Amanda Stanfield

a recipe photo of the Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato & Chicken Pasta — Photo:
Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss

Active Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

40 mins

Servings:

8 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Sesame-Free Nut-Free Healthy Pregnancy Soy-Free High-Protein Egg-Free

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Ingredients

16 ounces whole-wheat penne
2 cups drained sun-dried tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons sun-dried tomato oil
1/2 cup chopped shallots
2 teaspoons grated garlic
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon ground pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces baby spinach (about 12 cups)
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup half-and-half
8 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese
3 tablespoons low-fat sour cream
4 cups chopped rotisserie chicken (from 2 rotisserie chickens)
1 cup shredded fontina cheese, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions; drain and transfer to a large heatproof mixing bowl.
Place sun-dried tomatoes, tomato oil, shallots and garlic in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the shallots soften, about 3 minutes. Add tomato paste, Italian seasoning, pepper and salt; cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spinach, broth and half-and-half; cook, stirring constantly, until the spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss
Reduce heat to low; add cream cheese and sour cream; cook, stirring, until melted and well combined, about 3 minutes. Add chicken; cook, stirring, until evenly coated and warmed through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in 3/4 cup fontina.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss
Carefully pour the sun-dried tomato mixture over the cooked pasta; stir until fully combined. Transfer to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan and the remaining 1/4 cup fontina.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss
Bake until the cheeses have melted and the pasta is warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayliss

To make ahead

Prepare through Step 4; cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day. Remove from refrigerator while preheating oven; continue with Step 5.

EatingWell.com, October 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

586	Calories
24g	Fat
56g	Carbs
41g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size 1 1/2 cups
Calories 586
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 56g	20%
Dietary Fiber 8g	30%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 41g	82%
Total Fat 24g	31%
Saturated Fat 9g	47%
Cholesterol 102mg	34%
Vitamin A 351Âµg
Vitamin C 43mg	48%
Vitamin D 0Âµg
Vitamin E 2mg	15%
Folate 137Âµg
Vitamin K 223Âµg
Sodium 673mg	29%
Calcium 276mg	21%
Iron 6mg	31%
Magnesium 164mg	39%
Potassium 1216mg	26%
Zinc 4mg	36%
Vitamin B12 1Âµg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.