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I must tell you, this is one of my favorite dishes to make when we’re having company over. It’s tried & true and from the kitchen of my blog partner, Jessica, of course. I love this dish for company because you can cook & chop the chicken as well as cutting up several other ingredients in advance plus it has beautiful presentation. Added bonus: I frequently get asked for the recipe. Hope you all enjoy this dish, too!
Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake
- 8 oz uncooked rigatoni
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 c chopped onion
- 1 (10 oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed
- 3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts
- 1 (14 oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) container Philadelphia chive & onion cream cheese
- ½ t salt, ½ t pepper
- 1½ c shredded mozzarella cheese
Prepare rigatoni according to pkg directions. Spread oil on bottom of 11×17 in baking dish; add onion in a single layer. Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender. Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.
Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between paper towels. Stir in rigatoni, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl. Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.
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wow, that looks yummy! will have to try it for sure! thanks for sharing the recipe!
that looks soooooo delicious!!!!!
WOW! I am SO going to make this. Saw your link on Girl Creative and it was enticing looking.
Seriously though, thank you! I need some new recipes.
WOW!! This looks so wonderful!!! Please come over to Midcvhix and link this recipe up in the Mama Can Cook Flock!http://www.midchix.com/
This looks so delicious! Found you from Blue Cricket.. can't wait to look through your blog!
This looks very delicous! I'm going to try it for Sunday dinner.
Yummy. I think I'll have to try this.
Looks delicious and pretty easy too!
OMGoodness that is devine looking!!! I've saved it for sometime soon, thanks!Stopping by from TMTT
Hi I plan on making this meal in 2 days. Do you think I could switch the frozen spinach for fresh? I have a whole bag of fresh spinach I'm trying to use up. Do you think if I saute it a bit to get it a little wilted I could fold it into the recipe? Thanks for your help
)Carin
HiHow did you cook your chicken for this recipe.
I just made this dis, very yummy !! I just diced the chicken & cooked it in a skillet with a bit of olive oil.
This looks so good! Totally keeping this one! Thanks!
Yes, please! This looks like something we would love! Adding to my list of recipes to try!
Delicious — I love that cream cheese, so I'm guessing this will be fantastic.
We just made a version of this for dinner and enjoyed it very much! We used tri-color rotini for the pasta
Just made it, yumm!
made it last night and it was wayyyy even better for lunch today! the flavors really matured overnight and it was a treat. thank you for sharing!
So glad you guys have made it and loved it. It's definitely a staple at our house, especially when we have company!
That was amazing!!! Thank you so much. It's something that looks pretty fancy but is so tasty and simple.
Thanks for the recipe. It came out realllly goood. Just wondering what can I do to make it little more creamier?
This is definintely a keeper! I have to admit I was a little skeptical that the cream cheese was not going to cover while putting it all together, but it was perfect! By the way, I didn't have chive and onion cream cheese, so I used regular cream cheese and added a little bit of ranch seasoning and it still turned out. (whew!). By the way, to make it creamier, I would try mixing some ricotta in if you don't want to just use more cream cheese.
Going to try this soon, it looks and sounds GREAT!
I just tried this tonight…DELISH! Thanks for sharing!
does this freeze well?
Made this with fresh spinach and a block of plain cream cheese – still wonderful and no corn syrup or MSG. yay!
Glad to hear you all are enjoying the recipe!! I've never frozen it, but I would assume it would work well. Let us know if you try it!
how do you cook the chicken for this recipe??
Hi Gloria, we usually just saute or boil the chicken.
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Made this tonight…. thanks for the yummy recipe!
I just found this recipe…and then read your about me. I just happen to be an ADPi from Iowa.
I live in Texas now and serve as an advisor. Fabulous blog, can't wait to look around more!
Thanks for your comment, Stephanie! Too fun.
Pi love <>
This was fantastic. I should have doubled the sauce (and will next time) as I used a whole box of rigatoni, but even at that it was delicious. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe.
I cooked this for dinner last night and it was delicious! Mt fiancee went so far as to say it was the best thing I'd cooked all year. I used plain, light cream cheese and added fresh, chopped chives on top of the cheese. I also used a big bunch of fresh spinach that I chopped up and mixed in with the chicken mix. It cooked perfectly in the the oven. Thanks so much for the recipe. This will definitely be a staple from now on.
I just made this and it was great!! i'm in college so im on a really tight budget and all the ingredients (excluding the chicken which i already had frozen in my freezer) were only $7.00!! so delicious and shared it with my roommates and still have plenty for lunch tomorrow with my boyfriend. thank you!
Just made this…so good! Taking leftovers to work tomorrow. Thanks!
This was dinner last night and it was great! Thanks so much for sharing such a wonderful recipe. This is certainly going onto our list of regularly cooked dinners.
I made this using ground turkey instead. SOOOO GOOOD!
I was thinking of using ground turkey also. Glad you tried it and now I know it will be a great substitute. I also have fresh spinach and saw where someone tried that! Can’t wait to make it tonight!
Yumm looks so easy and good! This will be perfect for a weeknight meal
Found this recipe via Pinterest. I've got it in the oven as I type! Can't wait to eat it!!
I am making this right now! It looks so good i can't wait to try it. Thank you for the recipe.
So so glad you guys are changing it to your tastes and trying new things and then sharing them so we can all learn from your experiments.
We are so glad you've found our blog and took the time to comment! Please follow our blog and stay in touch!
Just made it and it is great!!!!!!!!!!!!
How many servings are in this recipe? I'd love to make this for a party next week. We are expecting 20 guests…
Me and my college friends recently had a potluck and I made this and they LOVED it. I left out the chicken though cause I'm a vegetarian.
I made this last night and my family just devoured it! Next time I'll double it so we have enough for lunches.
I just made this. It was very good; however, I recommend using 12oz of pasta instead of 8oz.
I made this and it was very dry.
What's the serving size? I am trying to find a meal to serve my book club…about 10 people.Thanks!
Good question Lisa. I asked that days ago. I would like to make this for 20 guests…
Lisa, it should serve between 8-10 people. Anonymous, if you double the recipe and serve some heavy side dishes, you should be good to go. Sorry it took a while to get back to you….I've been very busy with my full time job and haven't been as on the comments as usual for my personal blog.
I made this the other night and though the flavor was great, we found it too dry also. I was so paranoid about getting all the excess moisture out of the spinach…maybe I'll leave some in next time, or not drain the tomatoes?
I wouldn’t drain the tomato’s. I made this last night, and did a full box of pasta 16oz and it wasn’t dry. VERY GOOD
This looks delicious! I just found your site through Pinterest. Pin! I am also happy to be a new follower.
Thanks, Erin & welcome!! Anonymous, I've never had an issue with dryness in this recipe but I would think that what you suggested could help with the moistness issue you are experiencing. Good luck!
I would like to profusely thank you for posting this recipe. I found it through Pinterest…and it got my daughter to eat spinach and onions, which she cannot stand!!!! Score! My husband and I liked it very much too
A YUMMY CASSEROLE… NEXT TIME I WOULD ADD THE JUICE OF THE TOMATOES FOR MOISTURE, 1 TSP SALT INSTEAD OF ½ TSP,1 C. FETA CHEESE CRUMBLED & MIXED IN, PARMESAN CHEESE SPRINKLED FAIRLY LIBERALLY OVER TOP AND THEN THE MOZZARELLA CHEESE FOR A LIL' MORE ZIPPITY DO DA DAY!!!
Made this tonight for dinner, it was amazing!
Hi, looks so yummy! Saw you on pinterest. could you pretty, please send me an invite?
katieohlhaut@gmail.com
Hi, looks so yummy! Saw you on pinterest. could you pretty, please send me an invite?
katieohlhaut@gmail.com
This is in the oven right now. YUMMY.
http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/2010/06/chicken-spinach-pasta-bake.html
Dit lijkt me echt een lekker en snel ovenrecept: spinazie met kip en pasta http://t.co/LPd3ybNE
http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/2010/06/chicken-spinach-pasta-bake.html
I made this tonight, it was a huge hit! so delicious! can’t wait to make it again!
[...] recipes that included chicken and spinach….two items already in my fridge. I came across http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/2010/06/chicken-spinach-pasta-bake.html and the wheels started spinning. Since I’m TRYING to eat less carbs, I decided to modify [...]
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Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake: http://t.co/Niznk4iN
This looks really yummy! I have some leftover turkey that I might have to try this with and with a husband on a low sodium diet pretty sure this will work out for that also.
recipe
This is the most amazing recipe, I have made it 3 times since discovering it only about a week ago. I made it for a friend who just had surgery, and her husband returned the empty dish less than 24 hrs. later. I decided to try it, and because I don’t like onions, I skipped that step for myself. LOVED IT, and so did my family! Then, tonight, I had some extra broccoli from leftovers and swiss cheese (my favorite!). I added garlic this time, and we have a winner! THIS WILL BE A FAMILY FAVORITE FOR YEARS TO COME! Thanks
Wow, we love hearing that, Megan! We hope you continue to read our blog for many years to come as well and share with your friends and family.
I made this last week. Actually ended up making two versions: 1 for my picky girls that didnt include the onions and spinach, and 1 prepared just as the recipe states, but we added some sliced mushrooms. It was DELICIOUS!!! Will def be making this again! Thanks for sharing!
I would make it WITHOUT draining the tomato’s. Takes all the flavor out as well. Worked great with a full box of noddles.
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS AND EASY TO MAKE!! YUMMY!!
PS I made it with ground turkey instead of chicken breasts!
[...] for ours!!! It's in the oven right now Trying out a new recipe*Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake. Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake – Saving Money Living Life [...]
Is the dish size in your recipe correct? Seems like it should be 11×7, not 11×17.
Just finishing up now and putting in the oven. Can’t wait to try it. YUM!!!!
I made this last night, my boyfriend and I LOVED it! We almost finished the whole dish!!
I made this last night – it was delicious!!! My boyfriend really enjoyed it, too. I made a slight variation: instead of 3 cups of chicken I added 1 cup and doubled the amount of noodles. I added a little store-bought red sauce to insure that the dish wouldn’t dry out – it was wonderful and very filling! Thank you!
Thank you, thank you for sharing such an amazing recipe! I made it yesterday and everyone absolutely L O V E D it. They devoured the whole entire dish for dinner. I’m making it again for dinner tonight! Instead of chicken I used shrimp. I also used fresh tomato, spinach and basil instead of frozen or canned. I’ll definitely be making it for years to come! everyone kept commenting that it tasted like a pasta dish they’d have at an expensive Italian restaurant. I think next time I’ll add mushroom, as well. My sister in law who doesnt like tomato ate it all up. Thanks again for such a wonderful recipe. Have a blessed day.
Tried this tonight! It was VERY good. My husband ate two helpings and I’m sure the leftovers will be good too! Thanks for sharing. I took a shortcut by using the meat from a cooked whole chicken bought from the grocery delicatessen. Worked great!!
Can this be made in advance? I was thinking about making it for a social in a couple of days.
)
Yes, for sure! Enjoy it!
going to try this over the week-end
I have made this numerous times and we absolutely love it. However, I always have to add more tomatoes or it ends up really dry. You haven’t had this problem???
Hi Aimee, I’ve never had this problem. I have seen other people say in the comments they have…maybe it’s my oven?
[...] {source} [...]
made this last night and it was so good! Beautiful dish too. I would only add one more container of cream cheese. I think it needed more- but it was still delicious. (One more would make it creamier, I felt that it was a little dry) The tomatoes are soooo good in it!
We have diabetics in the family, so nutritional information for each recipe is critical. Can’t cook without it.
Although this sounds delicious, I would imagine the chicken breast would be dry since it is already cooked and then baked for 45 more minutes. Any thoughts?
Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake | | Saving Money Living LifeSaving Money Living Life http://t.co/NrFgOsx4
[...] till 2am, lol… SO tasty the next day, and way spicier. LOVE IT! And tonight we will be having: http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com…asta-bake.html ..but I'm changing it, lol.. Whole wheat pasta, no pre-seasoned cream cheese, and I'm only using [...]
[...] the last week or two, we had two major wins: this Chicken + Spinach Pasta Bake and a Banana [...]
This is such a lovely recipe! I have made it three times already for my family and making it today for a neighbour and her family of four. She has just given birth to a baby girl. I’m an American living in London so we shall see how the Brits like it!
Thanks again! Fab website!
DELICIOUS surprise lunch – thank you Barb!! http://t.co/FIsUb48A
Making this tonight and I’m pretty excited. I think this is a sure way to get some veggies into my picky two year old!!
Just made this and it was amazing!
[...] Tuesday: Scrambled Eggs and Fruit Sandwiches Chicken & Spinach Bake [...]
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I would like to send the chicken and spinach pasta bake recipe to my email address to file in my recipe folder, but for some reason it isnot letting me send it, could you please do it from your end? I would appreciate any help that you could give me . Thank-you in advance.
This was wonderful. Made it last night. However, I had to add a jar of pasta sauce to mine because it was a little too dry for my taste.
I made this yesterday and it turned out delicious! Some of the reviews said it was dry, so I didn’t drain the diced tomatoes I poured the liquid in as well. Also the store was out of the chive and onion cream cheese, so I got the Philly Cooking Creme, Italian Cheese and Herb flavor, and used the whole tub. It was really good and flavorful. I used tri-colored corkscrew pasta instead, just for some added color. I also went the fast route on the chicken and diced up the ready to serve Foster Farms Grilled Chicken Breast Strips. It was a hit and super easy to make! Thanks!
i dont have tomatoes..u think sauce would work?
Try it out and let us know, Lisa!
[...] I'm just about to go to lunch right now .. but I already know I'm cooking this for supper Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake – Saving Money Living Life Got it off pinterest .. hope it turns out well [...]
This dish is AWESOME. I have made it twice since i found it and everyone loves it. My boyfriend who hates spinach loved it. I made a couple of changes to it, I added cilantro and fresh jalapenos to the dish and the jalapenos add the perfect touch to it. This is definitely a favorite in my house!
[...] Pinterest source: http://pinterest.com/pin/52987733085898700/ Original source: http://www.savingmoneylivinglife.com/2010/06/chicken-spinach-pasta-bake.html [...]
This was INCREDIBLY dry. Seems like something is missing from this recipe! And aftr placing COOKED cubed chicken breasts into it, THEN cooking another 45 minutes! The chicken just died.
Caryn, I hate to hear you had a bad experience. I’ve never had mine turn out dry, but you can look at some of the comments above to see how others remedied any dry issues.
[...] food Pinterest board, (which has become our go-to cookbook, no joke), and decided this recipe for Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake from Saving Money Living Life would be good to [...]
I accidentally picked up herb and garlic cream cheese….Phooey! Any thoughts on from those who have tried it how it would make as a substitute?
That should still work, Heather. Let us know how it turns out!!
A friend of mine just had a baby and I am taking her a meal. I didn’t know what to make until I found this recipe on her Pinterest board! I was wondering what you served with this?
Hi Becky,
We have served it with rolls, broccoli, salad, and asparagus just to name a few.
So glad to hear it, Heather!!
LOVE THIS! I ended up sending my husband out for the onion and chive cream cheese…and am so glad I did..
Since other posts said it was dry, I didn’t bother to drain my tomatoes and added a few more noodles and it was delicious! Thank you for posting!
Also, I just boiled my chicken to cook it before hand as one poster said her chicken was overcooked. I had no issues whatsoever and it was super easy..:)
Could I use fresh spinach in this? Could I just chop it up and mix it in with everything else?? What do you think?
I don’t see why not, Meg. Let us know if you have any issues.
Is there any way to print this recipe?
Hi Glenda,
I’d recommend going to printfriendly.com & copying and pasting the URL there. We are working to get a better way to print recipes on our site. Thanks for visiting and for leaving a comment!
Soeasy,,,,,,,SoSo GOOD….!!
[...] Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake via Saving Money Living Life [...]
I think I am switching up my menu for this evening to try this…yum! Just curious, how does adding artichokes to the mix sound? I am not very good with changing up dishes, but I was originally planning to make a chick/artichoke lasagna. This sounds way easier though! Any thoughts?
I’ve never tried it before that way, but it’s worth a shot. Sounds yummy to me! Just let us know how it goes.
[...] Spinach Chicken Pasta Casserole – This recipe is perfect when you just want some comfort food. It’s incredibly rich and not the healthiest, but you know what that means…It tastes sooooo good! If you ever have to bring a meal to someone that is sick or just out of the hospital this is a great option. They can just reheat it in their oven and it tastes just as good as when it first came out. [...]
Does this end up being dry at all? If everything in the recipe is already pretty well cooked, I would be afraid of baking it for 45 minutes total. Does the pasta and chicken dry out? Is it worth cooking it for maybe 35 minutes instead? I’m making this for dinner tonight. I’ll try it and see how it goes. Thanks so much for the recipe.
Hi Jill,
I’ve never had a problem with it being dry but others have mentioned they left juice in the tomatoes to keep it more moist. Let us know what you think!
Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake: http://t.co/tW0ucPFR
Making this for my church tonight!
[...] the freezer… Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake via Saving Money Living [...]
Made this for dinner tonight and it was really delicious!! My picky 1 year old AND my picky 15 year old BOTH loved it!!! Thank you so much for sharing! I love it when I find recipes that they BOTH love!!!
can’t wait to try this recipe, look so good
Made this last night…so delicious. Gonna make pans to put in the freezer…..Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake: http://t.co/2VrcT4XM
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I notice people are commenting that it’s too dry, well the recipe calls for undrianed tomatoes!
[...] and Spinach Bake (Recipe) Chicken and Spinach Bake Photo Credit: SavingMoneyLiving [...]