Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

This pasta is hearty and delicious!

Ingredients

  • 1 cups multigrain penne pasta, uncooked
  • 1 pkg. (283 g.) fresh baby spinach leaves
  • 1 lb. (450 g.) boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-size pieces
  • 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
  • 1 ½ cups (½ of 700-mL jar) pasta sauce
  • 1 2/3 cups (½ of 796-mL can) diced tomatoes, drained
  • ¼ cup light cream cheese spread
  • 1 cup part skim mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 2 tbsp. light parmesan grated cheese

Cooking Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degree F. Cook pasta as directed on package, adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.
  2. Meanwhile, heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken and basil; cook 3 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Add pasta sauce and tomatoes; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Stir in cream cheese until melted.
  3. Drain pasta and spinach; return to same saucepan. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Stir in ½ cup mozzarella cheese. Spoon into 2-L or 8-inch square baking dish.
  4. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese. Bake 3 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Exchanges

This makes 4 servings.

Count each serving as 4 proteins, 1 carbohydrate and 1 fat.

Recipe adapted from Kraft Canada.

Poultry