Cheesy Chicken and Roasted Tomato Mozzarella Pasta Bake
a cheesy pasta dish full of fragrant herbs; juicy roasted cherry tomatoes; and seared, tender chicken pieces for the ultimate comfort food!
- Prep time
- 30 min
- Cook time
- 10 min
- Yield
- 8 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
- 2 cup washed and hulled cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 lb pack of pasta (- Ziti, Rigatoni or Penne)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 medium brown onion (chopped)
- 2 clove garlic (crushed or minced)
- 1 lb skinless and boneless chicken thighs or breast (diced)
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 2 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tbsp vegetable stock powder ((Vegeta))
- 1 pinch salt to season
- 24 oz bottle of Passata (or Tomato Sauce for U.S Readers)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 cup skim/low fat milk (or almond milk)
- 2 tbsp cornflour/cornstarch + 1/4 cup water (mixed)
- 1 cup light mozzarella cheese (grated)
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to grill/broil settings on medium heat. Place the cherry tomatoes in a single layer on an oven tray lined with foil; spray with olive oil spray (or drizzle with a small amount of olive oil), and bake until soft and cooked through (about 10 minutes).
- 2
Boil the pasta following packet instructions in salted water.
- 3
While the pasta is boiling, in a separate large oven-proof pan, fry the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the chicken pieces and sear until golden. Add the herbs, stock powder and salt to your tastes. Stir the Passata (or tomato sauce) and the tomato paste through the chicken; bring to a gentle simmer while stirring occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken. Add in the roasted cherry tomatoes and stir through.
- 4
Pour in the milk and the cornflour mixture, and stir again until sauce is creamy and thick..
- 5
When the pasta is al dente, drain and stir the pasta through the chicken. Mix half of the mozzarella cheese through the pasta; sprinkle the top with remaining cheeses. Add any extra cherry tomatoes over the top to garnish (optional).
- 6
Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese has melted through.
- 7
Sprinkle with extra dried oregano and basil for extra flavour!