Healthy, easy, quick homestyle cooking comfort food for the win! This One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti is perfect for a delicious, easy weeknight dinner!
As many of you know, Cody and I are smack-dab in the middle of a big move right now. Our current situation: walls of boxes everywhere (evidence will be probably be on my Insta Story pretty soon), a task list the size of Texas (which we will be leaving in 2 weeks, so bittersweet! More about this in the Healthy Sriracha Shredded Chicken Tacos post), and missing a ton of kitchen items because I prematurely packed them in an effort to save time down the road. Real life, y’all.
All that to say that this delicious One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti is a result of 3 things:
- My typical comfort food cravings during times of chaos and stress (Anyone with me? Can we be real like that?).
- Having ZERO time or dishes to really make anything fancy that takes longer than 30 minutes!
- This delicious pasta sauce that I happened to have on hand: Ragu’s® Homestyle Thick and Hearty Traditional Sauce!
I pretty much always keep this stuff on hand because you just never know when you’re going to have a comfort food craving that could turn into an entire pizza devoured if not diverted to a recipe like this one! This delicious sauce doesn’t have artificial flavors, colors, or high-fructose corn syrup. Check out Ragu’s® website to learn more about the new Homestyle sauces!
OBVS, this sauce is also incredibly helpful because of how easy it is to use when you’re in a rush and need that delicious dinner STAT. For me, homestyle cooking is all about finding easy and fun recipes that you can share with family and have on the table quickly!
This One-Pot Basil Chicken Ziti is just that.
Homestyle cooking, comfort food, easy, fun, shareable, and without completely derailing your healthy eating progress. It’s actually loaded with protein, calcium, and healthy carbs!
Tips for the cooked chicken: I like to buy a whole chicken and roast it at the beginning of the week, shred it up, and use the chicken in easy recipes throughout the week. It makes for quicker and easier weeknight meals!
If you’re looking for a vegetarian variation of this recipe, check out the Mushroom & Spinach Pasta Bake or Vegetarian Zucchini Spaghetti w/ Red Sauce & Mushrooms recipes!
Here’s the easy, delicious recipe:
One-Pot Basil Chicken Baked Ziti
Ingredients
- 2 medium chicken breasts (cooked, shredded)
- 12 oz . whole wheat penne (cooked)
- 23 oz . jar Ragu® Thick and Hearty Traditional Sauce
- 2 cups spinach
- 6 oz . mozzarella cheese
- 5-6 basil leaves
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix the shredded, cooked chicken, cooked penne, pasta sauce, and spinach together. Pour into a casserole dish or bakeware.
- Top with mozzarella (or also mix it in) and basil leaves (shredded or whole).
- Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Lauren says:
What method are you cooking the chicken with, and what should you season the chicken with.
Christine McMichael replied:
I typically bake chicken in the oven or make it in the Instant Pot. Planning on sharing my Instant Pot method soon! My go-to seasoning is salt, pepper, garlic, and a little bit of smoked paprika. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Ashley says:
I haven’t made this yet but will be tonight! it looks amazing and I am all for quick and easy ONE POT DISHES!!
Did anyone make their own chicken breasts and shred it? If so, what seasonings would you use for the cooked chicken?
thinking about adding spinach as well.
Mar says:
Definitely the best baked pasta recipe I’ve stumbled upon. Sometimes I want a bit more flavour so I add parmigiano and a tiny bit of good chilli to bring out the flavour contrasts. Love it and thanks for the recipe!
Paige says:
I made this and it was super easy and delicious. Great party food; looks great, tastes great, and it looks like it was difficult to make but it is super simple. Definitely recommend 10/10!
Lena Curtis says:
I made your recipe and it was awesome. I would like to know where I can find the complete nutritional information for your one pot basil chicken baked ziti.
hailey trahan says:
I’m 10 and I made this right before a water polo game and it was great.
Christine McMichael replied:
I’m so glad to hear that, Hailey!
Tami says:
I made this tonight. The recipe was pretty easy and it was delicious. Bonus: It smells like garlic bread when it’s cooking. Who doesn’t like that smell?!? Not me!
Christine McMichael replied:
SO glad you enjoyed the recipe, Tami! 🙂 Oh my goodness YES. Garlic bread smell, always!
Cindy says:
I tried your basil baked ziti. It was delicious. I cooked the chicken breast in olive oil in a pan on stove and then I cooked the spinach in the same pan. It was delicious.
Christine McMichael replied:
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Cindy! 🙂
Tess says:
This looks so tasty! I love the idea of the mozzarella going right into the pasta – in addition to the mounds I would still put on top 😉 Thanks for sharing 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Tess! Haha, that’s awesome. Enjoy! 🙂
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says:
This looks so good! Crunchy cheese on top is the best! 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Kim! Definitely agree with that!