Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, diced (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 sundried tomatoes, drained and chopped; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon salt; ½ teaspoon pepper; 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese; 1 cup grated mozzarella cheese

There’s something undeniably comforting about a dish that’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken and pasta—all baked together to perfection. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe is one of those meals that fills your kitchen with a warm, inviting aroma and leaves everyone asking for seconds. Trust me, it’s worth every minute in the oven.

A white rectangular baking dish filled with a creamy pasta bake, showing penne pasta mixed with creamy white sauce, pieces of light beige chicken, dark green spinach leaves, and strips of red sun-dried tomatoes. The pasta is coated in the sauce with a slightly bubbly texture, speckled with herbs and grated cheese on top. A dark wooden spoon is placed inside the dish, scooping some of the pasta from the bottom right. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, with a folded striped cloth towel on the left and fresh green spinach leaves partially visible on the top right 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’ve made this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe countless times on busy weeknights and casual family dinners. What excites me is how it manages to be both elegant and effortless—plus, it’s seriously delicious. Once you try it, you’ll understand why it’s become such a staple in my kitchen.

All-in-One Meal: Combines protein, veggies, and pasta in one dish, making dinner time simple.
Rich, Creamy Flavor: The heavy cream and cheeses create a luscious sauce that’s downright irresistible.
Minimal Prep, Maximum Impact: Just toss everything in the dish and bake—no complicated steps or babysitting required.
Customizable Comfort: Easily tweak ingredients to suit your family’s tastes or what’s in your fridge.

The image shows a white baking dish filled with creamy pasta mixed with chunks of light yellow chicken, dark green spinach leaves, and bright red sun-dried tomatoes. The top layer is thick and cheesy with a gooey texture, melting and stretching slightly as a wooden spoon lifts a large, mixed scoop from the dish. The pasta is a mix of small tube-shaped noodles, and the creamy sauce looks rich and smooth, coating every ingredient. The background has a white marbled texture and the overall look is warm and inviting, capturing the dish's rich colors and textures in close-up. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe plays an important role in building layers of flavor and texture. Here’s a quick look at why these ingredients work so well together, along with some shopping tips that’ll save you time and ensure success.

Flat lay of diced raw chicken breast pieces, uncooked penne pasta, two cups of fresh chopped spinach, sun-dried tomatoes piled in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl filled with heavy cream, a small white bowl containing chicken broth, a small white bowl with mixed Italian seasoning herbs, another small white bowl with garlic powder, a small white bowl with onion powder, small white bowls holding salt and black pepper individually, a mound of shredded parmesan cheese on a simple white ceramic plate, a mound of grated mozzarella cheese on another white ceramic plate, all arranged symmetrically and balanced, 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

Diced chicken breasts: Lean and tender, they cook beautifully in the sauce, soaking up all those Tuscan flavors.
Penne pasta: Its tubular shape holds onto the creamy sauce perfectly—don’t skip this pasta type for the best texture.
Heavy cream: This adds richness and a silky smooth texture that makes every bite decadent.
Chicken broth: Balances the creaminess with a savory depth, keeping the dish from feeling too heavy.
Chopped spinach: Adds a touch of freshness and a pop of color, while sneaking in some greens.
Sundried tomatoes: Their tart sweetness and chewy texture intensify Tuscan flavors—you can’t get quite the same effect with fresh tomatoes.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, it brings that signature herby note to the bake.
Garlic powder and onion powder: Convenient ways to layer in savory aroma without extra prep.
Parmesan cheese: Sharp and salty, it enhances the overall flavor and adds that classic Tuscan touch.
Mozzarella cheese: Provides melty, gooey goodness that makes the topping irresistibly cheesy.

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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

One of the things I love most about this creamy bake is how easy it is to personalize. Over the years, I’ve played around with different cheeses and veggies, and I encourage you to do the same—make it your version, be it lighter, spicier, or loaded with more greens.

Variation: I sometimes add sun-dried tomato pesto for an extra punch of flavor instead of plain sundried tomatoes—it’s a game changer!
Vegetarian version: Swap chicken for a hearty blend of roasted mushrooms and eggplant to keep it filling and cozy.
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the mix before baking for a subtle heat that wakes up the flavors.
Lighter option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese slightly for a less rich but still satisfying dish.

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

Step 1: Prep and Toss Ingredients into the Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (that’s 200°C). Grab a 9x13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray with non-stick cooking spray—I’ve learned this saves a lot of cleanup later. Then, add your diced chicken breasts, uncooked penne pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, chopped spinach, sundried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper all into the dish. Give everything a good stir so the chicken and pasta are evenly coated and nestled in the sauce. This step is satisfying because you’re basically building a delicious one-pan dinner all at once!

Step 2: Cover and Bake for 30 Minutes

Pop the covered dish into the oven and set a timer for 30 minutes. While the pasta and chicken cook, the sauce starts to thicken and those flavors get cozy together. When the timer is up, carefully remove the foil and give the mixture a stir. This is important to make sure every pasta piece is coated in the creamy sauce, and nothing sticks to the bottom.

Step 3: Bake Uncovered for Another 20 Minutes

Put the dish back into the oven, uncovered this time, and let it bake for an additional 20 minutes. This helps the pasta cook through completely and the sauce to thicken nicely while some liquid reduces for that perfect creamy consistency.

Step 4: Add Cheese and Final Bake

Once those 20 minutes are up, it’s cheese time! Sprinkle the shredded parmesan and grated mozzarella evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven and bake for just 5 more minutes, until that cheese melts into bubbly, golden perfection. When you pull it out, stir the cheese in gently so every forkful is rich and gooey. Let it rest a few minutes before serving—this little pause makes a surprisingly big difference!

Top Tip

From my many times making this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe, a few simple tricks have really made the difference between good and unforgettable. These tips keep your pasta tender but not mushy, and the sauce just the right level of rich.

Use Uncooked Pasta: Adding dry penne directly to the casserole allows it to soak up flavor as it bakes—just don’t skip stirring halfway through.
Don’t Overcrowd the Dish: Use a 9x13 casserole so ingredients can spread evenly; otherwise, uneven cooking might occur.
Cover Tightly with Foil: This traps steam, helping pasta soften and chicken cook without drying out.
Let It Rest: After baking, a brief rest lets the sauce thicken and flavors meld perfectly for serving.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I like to top my servings with a sprinkle of fresh chopped basil or parsley. It adds a bright contrast to all that creaminess and makes the dish look extra inviting. Sometimes, I toss on a few more sundried tomatoes for an extra burst of savory sweetness—it brings that lovely Tuscan flair right to the plate.

Side Dishes

This pasta bake is pretty hearty on its own, but I often pair it with a crisp green salad dressed lightly with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or a simple roasted vegetable medley also round out the meal beautifully without stealing the show.

Creative Ways to Present

For something special, try serving individual portions scooped into small ovenproof ramekins topped with extra cheese and broiled until bubbly and golden. It’s a fancy touch that’s surprisingly easy—and perfect for dinner parties or date nights at home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep really well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the flavors actually develop a bit more overnight. When storing, I usually press a piece of parchment or plastic wrap right on the surface of the pasta bake before sealing to minimize dryness.

Freezing

This recipe freezes beautifully too. After baking and cooling completely, I portion it out into freezer-safe containers. It keeps for up to 2 months—perfect for batch cooking or meal prep. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

For reheating, I prefer the oven over the microwave to keep the texture intact. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through—usually about 20 minutes. If you want to bring back some of that melty cheese magic on top, uncover for the last 5 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use a different type of pasta for this bake?

Yes! While penne is ideal for holding the creamy sauce, you can substitute with rigatoni, ziti, or even fusilli. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the shape and thickness of the pasta you choose.

Is it possible to make this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can assemble the entire dish a day before baking. Just cover and refrigerate it overnight, then bake it fresh the next day. This makes busy evenings so much easier without sacrificing flavor.

Can I use low-fat cream or milk instead of heavy cream?

You can substitute with half-and-half or whole milk to lighten the dish, but expect a thinner sauce and slightly less richness. To help thicken, you might add a tablespoon of flour or cornstarch mixed with a little water before baking.

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

No need! The diced chicken breasts cook through nicely right in the baking dish since the casserole bakes covered for a good 30 minutes plus additional baking time. Just be sure to cut the chicken into small, even pieces for thorough cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe has become one of those meals I turn to whenever I want something both cozy and impressive without a ton of fuss. It’s proof that simple ingredients combined thoughtfully can create real magic in your kitchen. I’m excited for you to try it and hear how it becomes your go-to comfort food, just like it is for me—so grab your casserole dish, and let’s get baking!