Are you a pasta lover looking for a new recipe to try out? Why not switch things up and try making a chicken chorizo pasta bake? This dish is perfect for a family dinner or a meal prep option that can be enjoyed throughout the week. It’s easy to make and packed with so much flavor that everyone will love. So, let’s get cooking!
Recipe 1: Chicken Chorizo Pasta Bake
Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound chorizo sausage, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rigatoni works well)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the chicken over medium heat until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, heavy cream, paprika, chili powder, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and chorizo to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a large baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake the pasta for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 39g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
Cooking Time:
45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Large baking dish
- Pot for cooking pasta
Serving Suggestions:
This pasta bake is delicious on its own, but you could also serve it with a side salad or garlic bread.
Variations:
- Try using different types of pasta like fusilli or farfalle.
- Add in some vegetables like zucchini or spinach for some extra nutrition.
- Experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella or gouda.
Substitutions:
- If you don’t have chorizo, you could use Italian sausage instead.
- If you don’t have heavy cream, you could use half-and-half or milk.
Storage:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Make sure to cook the pasta until al dente so it doesn’t become mushy in the oven.
- You can prep this dish ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat.
- Use a good quality chorizo for the best flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze this dish?
- Can I use a different type of meat?
- Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, you can freeze this dish before baking it. Simply cover it tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.
Yes, you could use ground beef or turkey instead of chicken.
Yes, you could use any type of cheese that melts well.
Recipe 2: Creamy Chicken Chorizo Pasta Bake
Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 pound chorizo sausage, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rigatoni works well)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the chicken over medium heat until browned on all sides. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the chorizo to the skillet and cook until browned. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the onion, garlic, and red bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Add the diced tomatoes, chicken broth, sour cream, paprika, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the sauce for 5-10 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, and chorizo to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a large baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese on top of the pasta mixture.
- Bake the pasta for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Nutritional Information:
- Calories: 700
- Protein: 41g
- Fat: 37g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 950mg
Cooking Time:
45 minutes
Equipment:
- Large skillet
- Large baking dish
- Pot for cooking pasta
Serving Suggestions:
This pasta bake is delicious on its own, but you could also serve it with a side salad or garlic bread.
Variations:
- Try using different types of pasta like fusilli or farfalle.
- Add in some vegetables like zucchini or spinach for some extra nutrition.
- Experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella or gouda.
Substitutions:
- If you don’t have chorizo, you could use Italian sausage instead.
- If you don’t have sour cream, you could use Greek yogurt or cream cheese.
Storage:
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Tips:
- Make sure to cook the pasta until al dente so it doesn’t become mushy in the oven.
- You can prep this dish ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready to eat.
- Use a good quality chorizo for the best flavor.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Can I freeze this dish?
- Can
Yes, you can freeze this dish before baking it. Simply cover it tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, let it thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as directed.