Name: Caprese Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: Other
Ingredients: 1 lb penne pasta; 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 3 cups cherry tomatoes; 3 cloves garlic; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 0.25 tsp sugar; 3 cups cooked chicken breasts; 1 cup pesto; 8 ounces fresh small mozzarella balls; fresh basil leaves

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Caprese Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°. Coat a 13- x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.

Cook pasta in boiling salted water according to package directions until al dente; drain.

While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a medium saute pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the halved tomatoes, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and sugar. SautÃ© until tomatoes begin to soften and release their juices, about 3 minutes.

Gently toss together pasta, tomatoes, chicken, pesto, and mozzarella and spoon into the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake until cheese melts and pasta is warmed through, 20-25 minutes. Scatter fresh basil leaves on top if you like.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Tomato Roasting Magic 🍅
Pan-roast cherry tomatoes with a pinch of sugar over medium-high heat to caramelize their natural sweetness and concentrate their flavor before adding to the pasta bake.
Pesto Preservation Technique 🌿
To prevent pesto from burning, mix it into the pasta and chicken after baking, or fold it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking to maintain its fresh, vibrant taste.
Mozzarella Melting Perfection 🧀
For the most luxurious cheese pull, use small fresh mozzarella balls and place them on top of the dish during the final 3-4 minutes of baking, allowing them to melt beautifully without overcooking.
Pasta Texture Hack 🍝
Cook the penne pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions to ensure it doesn't become mushy during the final baking process, maintaining a perfect al dente texture.
Chicken Moisture Seal 🍗
Before adding chicken to the pasta bake, lightly coat the cooked chicken pieces in a thin layer of olive oil to help retain moisture and prevent drying out during baking.