Baked Ziti with Chicken
A comforting baked ziti with tender chicken, marinara, and lots of melted cheese.
Equipment
- 9x13 inch Baking Dish
- Large Pot
- Colander
- Medium Skillet
- Spatula or spoon
- Aluminum Foil
Ingredients
- 16 ounces ziti noodles
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts trimmed and cut into bite-size pieces
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 28 ounces pasta sauce your favorite
- 0.5 ounces fresh basil chopped (about 1/3 cup)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan divided into two 1/2-cup portions
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella divided into two 1-cup portions
- salt and pepper to season chicken and to salt pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the ziti until al dente according to package directions; drain well and return to the pot.
- Season the bite-size chicken pieces generously with salt and pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until no longer pink in the center.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked chicken and cook about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir the pasta sauce and chopped basil into the cooked ziti, then fold in the cooked chicken so everything is evenly coated.
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, sprinkle with 1/2 cup grated Parmesan and 1 cup shredded mozzarella, then top with the remaining pasta.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella on top, and bake uncovered for 8 minutes until cheese is melted.
- Remove from the oven and, if desired, top with additional chopped basil before serving.
Notes
- Add salt to the pasta water for flavor.
- Cook pasta al dente so it holds up in the bake.
- Watch closely if using the broiler to brown the cheese.