Chicken Pasta Bake

Chicken Pasta Bake

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Dinner
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 400 g dried pasta shapes
  • 1 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 large chicken breasts cut into bitesize chunks
  • 1 large onion peeled and chopped
  • red capsicum de-seeded and chopped
  • yellow capsicum de-seeded and chopped
  • pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • ½ tsp dried oregano
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • 800 g tinned chopped tomatoes
  • 120 ml thickened cream
  • 100 g fresh baby spinach
  • 6 rashers cooked bacon chopped
  • 100 g strong cheddar cheese grated
  • 100 g mozzarella cheese grated

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 190c. Boil a large pan of water and cook the pasta for 1 minute less than recommended on the pack. Drain.
  • Whilst the pasta is cooking, heat the oil on a medium heat, in a large frying pan. Add the chicken, and cook until just sealed – about 5 minutes.
  • Add the onion and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until the onion is softened.
  • Add the chopped peppers, salt, pepper, garlic, tomato paste, oregano and thyme. Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Stir in the tinned tomatoes and cream, bring to a gentle bubble, then add the pasta, spinach and cooked bacon. Stir everything together, then transfer to a large baking dish.
  • Top with the cheddar and mozzarella, and place in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is golden brown.