Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Tuscan
Ingredients: 2 diced chicken breasts (1-inch pieces, about 1 ½ pounds); 10 ounces penne pasta (uncooked); 2 cups heavy cream; 2 ½ cups chicken broth; 2 cups chopped spinach; 2 (8-ounce) jars drained and chopped sundried tomatoes; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese; 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

There’s nothing quite like the comforting hug of a one-dish dinner, and **Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe** delivers just that – with rich, velvety sauce, tender chicken, and that perfect sprinkle of melted cheese on top. It’s one of those meals that fills your kitchen with incredible aromas and leaves you with a satisfied smile every time.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a creamy pasta bake. The dish has three main visual layers mixed together: light golden yellow pasta tubes scattered throughout, white and creamy melted cheese sauce coating the pasta, and bits of red sun-dried tomatoes along with green spinach leaves layered evenly. There are also small chunks of pale cooked chicken mixed in. A dark wooden spoon scoops some pasta from the right side, showing the creamy sauce and pasta shape clearly. The baking dish is placed on a white marbled surface with some fresh green spinach leaves in the top right corner and a black and white striped cloth partially visible on the bottom left side. The entire scene is well-lit and sharp, making the textures of cheese, pasta, and vegetables visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I genuinely get excited whenever I make this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe because it’s like a weekend dinner and a cozy comfort food all rolled into one dish. It’s easy to prepare, and the flavors meld beautifully while baking, making every bite a little celebration.

Effortless One-Dish Wonder: You toss everything in a baking dish and let the oven do its magic – no stovetop fuss or multiple pots needed.
Balancing Creaminess and Tang: The heavy cream and sundried tomatoes create a sauce that’s rich yet bright and flavorful.
Family-Friendly Comfort: It’s cheesy, hearty, and perfectly portioned to serve a crowd or have leftovers ready for tomorrow.
Customizable and Flexible: You can easily tweak seasonings, add veggies, or swap pasta types to suit what you have on hand.

A white baking dish filled with creamy pasta layers, including pale yellow pasta tubes, chunks of light beige chicken, dark green leafy spinach, and bright red sun-dried tomatoes, all coated in thick white cheese sauce that stretches slightly as a wooden spoon lifts a hearty scoop from the dish. The pasta looks soft and mixed well with the sauce and other ingredients, sitting on a white marbled surface. The photo looks close up and focused on the stirring spoon lifting the creamy, mixed pasta layers photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this dish plays a special role – the chicken adds protein and heartiness, the sundried tomatoes bring bursts of acidity, and spinach lends freshness. This combination layers flavors beautifully and offers a balance of creamy and savory that really sings.

Flat lay of diced raw chicken breast pieces, uncooked penne pasta, chopped fresh spinach leaves, bright red chopped sun-dried tomatoes, a small white bowl of heavy cream, a small white bowl of chicken broth, a small white bowl of Italian seasoning blend, a small white bowl of garlic powder, a small white bowl of onion powder, a small white bowl of salt crystals, a small white bowl of black peppercorns, a small white bowl of shredded parmesan cheese, a small white bowl of grated mozzarella cheese placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken Breasts: I always pick boneless, skinless and cut into bite-sized pieces so they cook evenly and stay tender.
Penne Pasta: Perfect shape to hold all that luscious sauce, plus it bakes up nicely without getting mushy.
Heavy Cream: This creates the silky, rich sauce that ties everything together effortlessly.
Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the bake, making sure the pasta cooks in flavorful liquid.
Spinach: For a pop of color and nutrition – I like fresh spinach, but frozen works too if thawed and drained well.
Sundried Tomatoes: They give a tangy, slightly sweet bite that cuts through the creaminess beautifully.
Italian Seasoning: A blend that brings in herby notes — essential Tuscan vibe right here.
Garlic and Onion Powder: These layer in savory aroma without needing to chop fresh.
Salt & Pepper: Essential to balance and enhance all the flavors.
Parmesan Cheese: Sharp and nutty, perfect for stirring into the sauce and topping it off.
Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully for that golden, bubbly crust we all love.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love sharing this recipe because it’s such a great base for customization. Over time, I’ve tweaked it with different veggies or cheeses depending on what’s in my fridge, and it always turns out delicious!

Variation: When I’m feeling extra indulgent, I add chopped sun-dried tomato pesto or switch mozzarella for smoked gouda — it adds a lovely depth of flavor that I’m obsessed with.
Greens Swap: If spinach isn’t your thing, kale or arugula work beautifully, just add them in earlier so they soften well.
Seasoning Boost: I occasionally toss in a pinch of crushed red pepper for a subtle kick that livens up the creamy sauce.
Make It Gluten-Free: I’ve had great success using gluten-free pasta and a bit less broth so it doesn’t get watery.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Step 1: Prep with Love and Layer Your Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. I spray my 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray—this helps with easy cleanup and keeps the bake from sticking. Then, I add the diced chicken breasts, uncooked penne pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, chopped spinach, drained sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper right into the dish. This is a no-fuss, one-step layering moment where all the flavors come together.

Step 2: Bake Covered and Stir Midway

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Here’s an important tip: don’t skip stirring after 30 minutes! This helps ensure the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce and doesn’t dry out. Then, pop it back into the oven uncovered for 20 more minutes to finish cooking.

Step 3: Cheese It Up and Finish Baking

Once that 20 minutes is up, remove the foil and sprinkle the top with shredded parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Return it to the oven for 5 minutes just until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and turning golden. Once out, stir the cheese through gently to get that creamy, cheesy goodness all throughout the bake.

Step 4: Rest Before Serving

Letting the bake sit for a few minutes after coming out of the oven helps everything set a bit, making it easier to serve and allowing the flavors to mingle even more.

Top Tip

Over multiple attempts, I’ve learned some small tweaks that take this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe from great to unforgettable. Trust me, these tips will help it come out perfect every time.

Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Cut the chicken into small, even pieces so they cook through during baking without drying out.
Use Quality Sundried Tomatoes: I prefer the ones packed in oil – they’re juicier and impart better flavor than dry-packed.
Don’t Skip the Stir: Stirring halfway ensures your pasta cooks evenly and soaks up all that creamy sauce.
Rest Before Serving: Allow your bake to rest out of the oven to let everything thicken up gently.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh parmesan and some chopped fresh basil or parsley on top before serving – it adds freshness and a lovely color contrast. A light drizzle of good olive oil also never hurts.

Side Dishes

This bake is pretty hearty, so I keep sides simple. A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette or steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans with garlic butter are my go-tos — they balance the richness without competing.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this bake in individual ramekins, topped with a sprig of rosemary, which makes it feel extra fancy and fun. Another time, I layered it in a clear glass casserole dish so everyone could see those beautiful layers and melted cheese.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually cool any leftovers to room temperature before transferring into airtight containers and keeping them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheating tastes best when you add a splash of cream or broth to freshen the sauce.

Freezing

This recipe freezes surprisingly well. I portion the bake into freezer-safe containers or bags, and it holds up beautifully for up to 2 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftovers in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to keep moisture in. Alternatively, a gentle microwave setting works — just add a little splash of broth or cream to revive the sauce and stir halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of pasta for this recipe?

Absolutely! While penne is ideal because it holds sauce well, you can swap in rigatoni, fusilli, or even shells. Just keep in mind cooking times may slightly vary depending on pasta size and shape.

Can this dish be made dairy-free?

It’s possible to make a dairy-free version by using coconut cream or cashew cream instead of heavy cream, and a dairy-free cheese alternative. The flavor profile will shift slightly, but you’ll still have a creamy, satisfying bake.

Do I need to pre-cook the pasta before baking?

Nope! The uncooked penne goes straight into the baking dish with cream and broth, which gives it enough liquid to cook while baking. Just be sure to stir halfway through to ensure even cooking.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble the entire dish a day ahead, cover it tightly, and store it in the fridge. Before baking, let it sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, then proceed with baking as instructed to ensure even cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe holds a special place in my heart because it turns a simple list of ingredients into a warm, inviting meal that feels like a treat any night of the week. I hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—it’s one of those dishes that just brings everyone to the table smiling.