Three Cheese Chicken Penne Pasta Bake

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average rating

227

rate/review

prep time

20 min

total time

43 min

makes

4 servings, 2 cups (500 mL) each

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video by: kraft

recipe by: kraft

What You Need

1-1/2 cups multi-grain 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

1-1/2 cups (1/2 of 700-mL jar) pasta sauce

1-2/3 cups (1/2 of 796-mL can) diced tomatoes, drained

1/4 cup Philadelphia Light Cream Cheese Spread

1 cup Kraft Part Skim Mozzarella Shredded Cheese, divided

2 Tbsp. Kraft 100% Parmesan Light Grated Cheese

Make It

HEAT oven to 375ºF.

COOK pasta as directed on package, adding spinach to the boiling water for the last minute.

MEANWHILE, heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium-high heat. Add chicken and basil; cook 3 min. or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring frequently. Add pasta sauce and tomatoes; bring to boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer 3 min. or until chicken is cooked through. Stir in cream cheese spread until melted.

DRAIN pasta and spinach; return to same saucepan. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Stir in 1/2 cup mozzarella. Spoon into 2-L or 8-inch square baking dish.

BAKE 20 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake 3 min. or until cheese is melted.

kraft kitchens tips

Serving Suggestion

Serve with Crystal Light Iced Tea.

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rating

I have made this on a number of occasions, for us and for guests. It rivals a great pasta dish from a restaurant. I have doubled the recipe and it gets a little difficult to control the spinach, but the results are great!
posted by a cook | on 1/12/2011

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I tried this yesterday and my family loved it. My husband who hates spinach told me that he would love for me to make this meal again. I did not steam the spinach, I mixed it into the pasta just before putting it into the oven.
posted by venicephillips | on 1/12/2011

rating

Easy and yummy!
posted by a cook | on 1/9/2011

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it was a big hit with my family,will be making it again
posted by trud60 | on 1/5/2011

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Just made this,it was DELICIOUS! I made it without the spinach though, didnt have it on hand. My boyfriend and I both loved it but thought it could have done without the chicken.. maybe might have even tasted better! Either way, it was amazing and full of warm cheesey goodness! Definitely making again for others. :)
posted by Kozina | on 1/4/2011

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This was amazing! Monatana's restaurant has a recipe just like this that I was in love with and could not find a similar recipe. This is even better than that!
posted by a cook | on 1/2/2011

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Amazing dinner! Everyone loved it. I didn't add diced tomatoes just because not everyone enjoys them. But it was still delicious.
posted by Michelle.Kelly | on 12/3/2010

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I found this recipe a little bland. It definitely needs some seasonings.
posted by leahmasson | on 12/1/2010

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awesome quick supper
posted by a cook | on 11/30/2010

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This is amazing. I would do this again. I put a bit of garlic to give it a little bit of more taste and we used half the spinach.I would probably add some broccoli or even red onions ( to give it more color and taste). But this is definitely a good recipie and very easy and good.
posted by jannique01 | on 11/8/2010