Baked Ziti with Chicken
A comforting pasta bake with tender chicken, ziti noodles, marinara sauce, and melted cheese that’s ideal for cozy dinners or family meals.
Equipment
- 1 oven preheated to 350°F
- 1 large skillet
- 1 baking dish
- 1 large pot for boiling pasta
Ingredients
- 12 –14 oz ziti or penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 medium onion finely chopped
- 3 –4 garlic cloves minced
- 24 oz marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 to 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 °F (180 °C).
- Cook the ziti pasta in boiling water according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced chicken to the skillet and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through; remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add more oil if needed and sauté the chopped onion until translucent.
- Add minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute, stirring frequently.
- Pour in the marinara sauce and bring to a simmer.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to combine with the sauce.
- In a large bowl or baking dish, mix the cooked pasta with the chicken sauce until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese on top.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
- Use provolone cheese with mozzarella for richer flavor.
- Stir spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
- Swap marinara for Alfredo or vodka sauce for creamy variants.
- Assemble ahead and refrigerate before baking for convenience.