Cheesy, family-friendly, ONE DISH pasta bake! This One Dish Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is loaded with Alfredo, marinara, spinach, and melty mozzarella topped with juicy chicken breast. No boiling noodles required!
One Dish Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake
This One Dish Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is the definition of cozy, no-fuss comfort food. Everything - yes, even the uncooked spaghetti! - cooks together in one baking dish for a cheesy, saucy dinner that tastes like something you’d get at your favorite Italian spot. It’s layered with tender chicken breasts, creamy Alfredo, rich marinara, fresh spinach, and plenty of melty mozzarella and Parmesan.
If you love simple, hands-off dinners that make your kitchen smell amazing, this one will be on repeat all year long.
Why You’ll Love This One Dish Pasta Bake
- Truly one dish! No boiling noodles, no extra pots, no sautéing.
- Ultra cheesy - Parmesan + mozzarella + Alfredo = the dreamiest sauce.
- Family-friendly - Classic Italian flavors kids and adults love.
- Hearty and filling - Protein, pasta, and veggies all in one pan.
- Perfect for busy nights - Prep takes minutes, and the oven does the work.
Tips for the Best Pasta Bake
- Don’t skip covering the pasta: Get it submerged as much as possible so it cooks evenly.
- Butterflying the chicken ensures even, faster cooking.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better and gives you the creamiest texture.
- Let it rest 5 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.
Variations
- Add veggies: Sliced mushrooms, diced tomatoes, or bell peppers.
- Make it spicy: Add crushed red pepper flakes or use spicy marinara.
- Swap pasta shapes: Penne or rotini can be used. Just ensure they’re covered in sauce, and check them after baking in case they haven't cooked all the way through. Pasta size may affect baking time.
What to Serve With It
This pasta bake is hearty on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a warm, crusty garlic bread; fresh and simple green salad; sauteed green beans; roasted or steamed broccoli; or this air fryer asparagus.
More Easy Pasta Recipes You'll Love
- Crockpot Spaghetti and Meatballs - A cozy, hands-off classic! Tender meatballs and perfectly sauced spaghetti cook together in the slow cooker for the easiest family-friendly dinner.
- Cheesy Baked Kielbasa Pasta - Smoky kielbasa, tender pasta, and loads of gooey melted cheese come together in this hearty, crowd-pleasing baked dinner.
- One Pot Enchilada Pasta - All the bold, saucy flavor of enchiladas, made in one pot! This creamy, cheesy pasta is a fast weeknight favorite with a Tex-Mex twist.
- American Goulash - A nostalgic, budget-friendly skillet dinner made with ground beef, tender macaroni, and a rich tomato sauce. Total classic comfort.
- Easy Creamy Sausage Pasta - Savory sausage, a silky cream sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta make this quick one-pan meal irresistible and ready in under 30 minutes.
One Dish Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Video
One Dish Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
- 1 "jar" water (refill the Alfredo jar to measure, about 2 cups)
- 2 cups chopped fresh spinach
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 16 ounces spaghetti uncooked
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 ounces)
- 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut in half length-wise (butterflied)
- Salt & pepper, Garlic powder
- fresh chopped Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add Alfredo sauce, water, chopped spinach, grated Parmesan, ½ cup mozzarella, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder to a 9"x13" baking dish. Stir to combine.
- Break spaghetti noodles in half and place in the dish, getting as much of them covered as possible. Set aside.
- Season chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Place chicken breast on top of spaghetti mixture.
- Bake in a 400°F oven for 30 minutes, until noodles are done and chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from oven. Pour marinara sauce over the whole dish. Top with remaining shredded mozzarella.
- Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
- For this recipe, I like my deep ceramic casserole dish that comes with a lid.
- Storage: Store leftovers up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in individual servings in the microwave.
- Freezer Instructions: Allow pasta to cool to room temperature. Cover and freeze for up to 3 to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before warming on the stove (or oven) and topping with cheese.
Nutrition
UPDATE INFO: This recipe was originally published in January 2018. It has been updated with new pictures, tips, and video and republished in December 2025.
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