Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake
Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake layers tender pasta and juicy chicken with a rich blend of pesto, Alfredo, and crushed tomatoes for a creamy, herb-forward bite. Fresh spinach melts into the sauce while a crisp Parmesan-breadcrumb topping adds a golden crunch. Serve for a cozy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck that feels both hearty and comforting.
- Prep15 mins
- Cook1 hr
- Serves12
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 49 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 0 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityFair
- 57 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 9
- Heart Health
- 60
- Metabolic
- 22
- Digestive
- 20
- Inflammatory
- 47
- Performance
- 32
- General Wellness
- 1
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. In a small bowl, mix the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until evenly moistened; set aside.
- 2
Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once boiling, stir in the penne and return to a boil. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked through but still slightly firm, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
- 3
Meanwhile, in a bowl combine the chicken with the Italian cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and milk. Stir in the pasta when done, then scoop the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture on top.
- 4
Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.
- Calories 655.63 kcal High 33%
- Protein 46.83 g Good Source 94%
- Carbohydrate 26.66 g 10%
- Total Fat 41.42 g High 53%
- Saturated Fat 16.03 g High 80%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 156.44 mg High 52%
- Sodium 1535.13 mg High 67%
- Dietary Fiber 2.36 g Low Source 8%
- Total Sugars 5.25 g --
- Added Sugars 0.43 g Low Source 1%
- Calcium 668.96 mg Good Source 51%
- Iron 2.01 mg Moderate 11%
- Potassium 233.37 mg Low Source 5%
- Vitamin A 51.73 mcg Low Source 6%
- Vitamin C 8.46 mg Low Source 9%
- Vitamin D 0.35 mcg Low Source 2%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Tomatoes 🍅
About This Recipe
Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake is made with 11 ingredients and serves 12. It takes about 1 hr 15 mins and is rated medium. Key ingredients include Alfredo Sauce, Baby Spinach, Crushed Tomatoes, and Fully Cooked Chicken Breast. Each serving provides about 655.63 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake made of?
- The main ingredients are Alfredo Sauce, Baby Spinach, Crushed Tomatoes, Fully Cooked Chicken Breast, Grated Parmesan Cheese. The full list of 11 is above.
- How long does it take to make Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake?
- About 1 hr 15 mins in total: 15 mins to prepare and 1 hr to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 655.63 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 11 ingredients and 4 steps.
- Is Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake healthy?
- Baked Pesto Chicken Penne Bake has an easyChef Pro health score of 37/100. Per serving, it provides 655.63 calories and 46.83 g of protein, or 94% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1535.13 mg (67% of the Daily Value) and saturated fat at 16.03 g (80% of the Daily Value). It contains Milk, Wheat, Gluten and Tomatoes, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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