🍝 Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake: A Comforting, Flavor-Packed Dish

If you love creamy pasta, tender chicken, and a burst of savory flavor, the Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake is about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner. This dish combines the richness of a cheesy pasta bake with the tangy, robust flavor of sun-dried tomatoes, creating a meal that’s hearty, comforting, and irresistibly delicious.

Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep for the week ahead, this pasta bake is both elegant and effortless. It’s a one-dish wonder that delivers maximum flavor with minimal stress.

🍗 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Creamy and cheesy: Every bite is rich and satisfying.

Tangy flavor boost: Sun-dried tomatoes add depth and brightness.

Easy to prepare: A simple bake that feels gourmet.

Family-friendly: Kids and adults alike will love it.

🧂 Ingredients

12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)

2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded

1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups heavy cream or half-and-half

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp Italian seasoning

2 tbsp olive oil

Salt and black pepper, to taste

Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish

👩‍🍳 Instructions

Cook the pasta:
Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the sauce:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant (about 1 minute). Stir in sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, and Italian seasoning. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Combine chicken and pasta:
Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce. Stir well to coat everything evenly. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Assemble the bake:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the pasta mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly on top.

Bake:
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

Serve:
Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley before serving.

💡 Tips & Variations

Add veggies: Spinach, broccoli, or roasted bell peppers make a colorful, nutritious addition.

Cheese options: Swap mozzarella for fontina, provolone, or gouda for a different flavor.

Make it lighter: Use half-and-half or whole milk instead of heavy cream, and reduce the cheese slightly.

Meal prep: This dish reheats beautifully — perfect for lunches or dinners later in the week.

🍽 Serving Suggestions