Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake (One Pot, No Cream)

 

A pasta bake with a thick, creamy tomato sauce made without any cream—all in one pot! Even the pasta cooks right in the sauce, making this the perfect low-effort comfort meal for a cozy dinner with family or friends.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 tbsp / 1/2 cup plain flour
• 2 cups milk (500ml)
• 2 cups tomato passata (500ml) (Note 1)
• 1 cup water (or chicken/vegetable broth) (250ml)
• 2 tsp salt
• Black pepper to taste
• 3 cups dried ziti or penne pasta (uncooked)
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)
• Freshly grated parmesan (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. Melt butter in a deep fry pan or skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 5 minutes until translucent.
3. Add the flour and stir to combine, then cook for 2 minutes.
4. Pour in the milk while whisking continuously for about 1 minute until it starts to thicken. Add tomato passata, water, salt, and pepper.
5. Increase heat to medium-high and cook for 5 minutes until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Whisk occasionally for the first 3 minutes, then constantly for the last 2 minutes.
6. Taste the sauce and add 1-2 tsp sugar if needed to balance the acidity.
7. Stir in the pasta, chicken, and cheddar cheese. Let it cook for 1 minute on the stove, then remove from heat.
8. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with a lid or foil and bake for 10 minutes.
9. Remove the cover and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly.
10. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and grated parmesan if desired.

Recipe Notes:

1. Tomato Passata: This is pureed tomatoes. In the U.S., it's often called "tomato sauce," but in Australia, "tomato sauce" refers to ketchup. Adjust salt if using a store-bought pasta sauce.
2. Pan Size: Use a deep skillet (26cm/10" diameter, 6cm/2.4" deep) or a large casserole pot.
3. Covering: If you don’t have a lid, use foil or a baking tray.

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Nutrition Information (per serving, assuming 6 servings):

• Serving Size: 344g
• Calories: 469 cal (23%)
• Carbohydrates: 39.9g (13%)
• Protein: 33.8g (68%)
• Fat: 19.7g (30%)
• Saturated Fat: 10.8g (68%)
• Cholesterol: 94mg (31%)
• Sodium: 1261mg (55%)
• Potassium: 178mg (5%)
• Fiber: 2.8g (12%)
• Sugar: 8.4g (9%)
• Vitamin A: 1250IU (25%)
• Vitamin C: 13.2mg (16%)
• Calcium: 380mg (38%)
• Iron: 3.1mg (17%)

Enjoy a creamy, hearty pasta bake with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor!