Name: Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 diced chicken breasts, 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 drained and chopped sundried tomatoes; 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 irresistibly comforting about a bubbling dish full of creamy sauce, tender chicken, and pasta all baked together. This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe hits all those cozy notes, with a luscious spinach and sundried tomato twist that brings it to life. Trust me, it’s the kind of meal you’ll want to make again and again.

The dish is a creamy pasta bake in a white rectangular dish with one black handle showing. It has a thick creamy sauce covering penne pasta, with pieces of cooked white chicken, dark green spinach leaves, and strips of red sun-dried tomatoes mixed evenly throughout. There is a light sprinkle of grated cheese on top, melting into the sauce. The pasta is well coated, and the sauce looks rich and smooth with small herbs visible in it. A wooden spoon is partially inside the dish on the right side, mixing the pasta. The background is a white marbled surface with some fresh spinach leaves on the top right and a striped towel partially visible on the bottom left. 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 can’t say enough how much I adore this recipe—for its ease, richness, and crowd-pleasing flavors. Throw it all in one dish, pop it in the oven, and you’ve got yourself a hands-off, cheesy masterpiece. Here’s why it’s become a staple in my kitchen.

Simple One-Dish Meal: You can combine everything in one baking dish—less mess, less fuss, more time to relax.
Rich & Creamy Flavor: Thanks to heavy cream and a blend of cheeses, every bite is indulgently smooth and velvety.
Tuscan Twist: Sundried tomatoes and spinach elevate the dish, adding bursts of flavor and vibrant color.
Family-Friendly Comfort Food: It’s a guaranteed hit at the dinner table—even kids and picky eaters tend to devour it.

A close-up of a white baking dish filled with baked pasta that has three main layers: at the bottom, a bed of tubular pasta in pale yellow; in the middle, a creamy white cheese sauce mixed with wilted dark green spinach and small chunks of light tan chicken; on top, scattered pieces of bright red sun-dried tomatoes. A wooden spoon lifts a portion that shows a thick creamy texture with visible melted cheese string stretching down. The dish sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe strikes a perfect balance between creamy richness and fresh, savory ingredients—each playing a unique role in creating a well-rounded dish. Here are some of the star components and what makes them shine in this creamy Tuscan chicken pasta bake.

Flat lay of diced raw chicken breasts in 1-inch pieces, a small mound of uncooked penne pasta, two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with heavy cream and one with chicken broth, a neat pile of fresh chopped spinach leaves, a small white bowl with chopped sun-dried tomatoes, a handful of mixed dried Italian herbs, a small white bowl of garlic powder, another small white bowl of onion powder, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, a modest heap of shredded parmesan cheese, a similar heap of grated mozzarella cheese, all arranged symmetrically and spaced evenly in a balanced composition 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

Chicken breasts: Diced into bite-sized pieces, they cook evenly and stay tender in the sauce.
Penne pasta: Its tubular shape holds onto the creamy sauce beautifully, ensuring every bite is saucy and satisfying.
Heavy cream: Adds luscious creaminess to the sauce, making it rich without being too heavy.
Chicken broth: Enhances the flavor depth and helps cook the pasta straight in the dish.
Spinach: Provides freshness and nutrients, plus it wilts into the sauce perfectly.
Sundried tomatoes: These deliver a robust, tangy sweetness that’s classic Tuscan flair.
Italian seasoning: Blends herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme for that signature Italian taste.
Garlic and onion powder: Give a subtle savory kick without the intensity of fresh garlic or onions.
Parmesan cheese: Adds a sharp, nutty flavor and helps brown the topping deliciously.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts to a gooey, stretchy finish that makes this dish utterly irresistible.

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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 Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. I often swap out the spinach for kale or add mushrooms when they’re in season. Don’t hesitate to make it your own—play around with the veggies or cheeses based on what you have.

Variation: I sometimes add sun-dried tomato pesto for an extra layer of bold tomato flavor—totally delicious!
Dairy-Free: Try coconut cream instead of heavy cream and dairy-free cheese alternatives to make it suitable for lactose intolerance.
Protein Swap: Swap chicken for cooked sausage or even tofu for different tastes and textures.
Spice It Up: Sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes into the sauce before baking if you like a little heat.

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

Step 1: Prep and Combine Everything

First, preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray—this makes cleanup so much easier! Then, throw in the diced chicken, uncooked penne pasta, heavy cream, chicken broth, chopped spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes right into the dish. Sprinkle on your Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir so the pasta is mostly submerged in liquid and evenly coated—this is key to making sure the pasta cooks perfectly inside the bake.

Step 2: The Two-Stage Bake

Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Take it out, and give everything a good stir to distribute the sauce and chicken. Then pop it back in uncovered for 20 more minutes. This two-step approach helps the pasta cook evenly and absorbs all those beautiful flavors while keeping the chicken tender.

Step 3: Add Cheese and Finish Baking

Remove the foil again and sprinkle a full cup each of shredded parmesan and mozzarella over the top. Pop it back in the oven for 5 minutes until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns golden. Pull it out and give it a final gentle stir—this helps mix all the melted cheese into the dish so every bite is cheesy goodness. Let it rest a few minutes to set before serving.

Top Tip

Having made this Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference. The timing and stirring are crucial to achieve perfectly cooked pasta and an evenly creamy sauce. Don’t rush the resting time either—it helps thicken the sauce wonderfully.

Use the Right Cookware: A good quality glass or ceramic baking dish ensures even heat distribution without burning the edges.
Don’t Skip the Stirring: Stir halfway through cooking to prevent pasta clumping and to help it absorb all that flavorful sauce.
Let It Rest: Allowing the bake to rest outside the oven for 5-10 minutes thickens the sauce and makes serving easier.
Watch Your Cheese: Add cheese only towards the end to keep it melty and avoid it drying out during the long bake.

How to Serve Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Creamy Tuscan Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or basil leaves. The green color brightens up the dish visually and adds just a hint of herbal freshness. A little extra parmesan on top never hurts either for those who love cheesy toppings.

Side Dishes

This bake is pretty filling on its own, but I like pairing it with a crisp green salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette or some roasted veggies like asparagus or broccoli. Garlic bread is also a classic side that your family will thank you for—perfect for soaking up every last bit of sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, serve this pasta bake in individual ramekins topped with a basil sprig and a drizzle of good olive oil. It's also fun to layer the pasta and chicken separately for a mini trifle effect when scooping. Trust me, little touches like these make dinner feel extra fancy, even though the recipe is so simple.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I let leftovers cool completely before transferring them to airtight containers. Stored in the fridge, the bake stays great for up to 3 days. When reheating, I recommend using the oven or air fryer to keep the top nice and cheesy instead of soggy.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well, but I skip adding cheese on top before freezing since it can get grainy. Freeze in portions, thaw overnight in the fridge, then add fresh cheese and bake again until bubbly. It’s a fantastic way to prep meals ahead when life gets busy.

Reheating

I gently reheat leftovers in a 350°F oven, covered with foil to retain moisture. Once warmed through, I remove the foil for a few minutes to refresh the cheesy topping. Microwaving works in a pinch but can make the sauce separate or the pasta soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use another type of pasta for this bake?

Absolutely! While penne is great for holding sauce, rigatoni, ziti, or rotini will also work well. Just keep in mind that cooking times might vary slightly.

Do I need to cook the chicken before baking?

Nope! The diced chicken cooks fully in the creamy sauce during the baking process. Just make sure the pieces are evenly sized for even cooking.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can assemble the entire dish, cover it tightly with foil, and refrigerate it for up to a day before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the cook time since it’ll go in cold.

What if I don’t have sundried tomatoes?

You can substitute with roasted red peppers or even sun-dried tomato paste for a similar flavor profile. Fresh tomatoes won’t give the same depth, so I’d recommend one of these options.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe has become one of my favorite weeknight dinners because it’s comforting and straightforward, with that perfect cheesy sauce that feels like a warm hug. Whether you’re new to baking pasta dishes or a seasoned pro, I hope you find this recipe as satisfying and easy as I do. So grab your ingredients, invite your favorite people to the table, and enjoy every creamy, flavorful bite together.