Chicken and Spinach Pasta Bake

Ingredients

• Whole wheat pasta

  Dry

  16 oz or 454g

• Spinach

  Raw

  ¾ package (10 oz) or 213g

• Olive oil

  Salad or cooking

  3 tbsp or 41g

• Chicken breast

  Broilers or fryers, meat only, raw

  16 oz or 454g

• Salt

  Table

  1 tsp or 6g

• Garlic powder

  Spices

  ¼ tsp or 0.8g

• Onion powder

  Spices

  ¼ tsp or 0.6g

• Basil

  Spices, dried

  ½ tsp, ground or 0.7g

• Oregano

  Spices, dried

  ½ tsp, ground or 0.9g

• Onions

  Raw

  ½ medium or 55g

• Wheat flour

  White, all-purpose, unenriched

  2 tbsp or 16g

• Reduced fat milk

  Fluid, 2% milkfat, with added vitamin a and vitamin d

  1 cup or 244g

• Cream cheese

  Low fat

  8 oz or 227g

• Parmesan cheese

  Shredded

  ¾ cup or 60g

• Garlic powder

  Spices

  ¼ tsp or 0.8g

• Salt

  Table

  ¼ tsp or 2g

• Pepper

  Spices, black

  ¼ tsp or 0.5g

• Mozzarella cheese

  Part skim milk

  ½ cup, shredded or 56g

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and coat a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Boil a large pot of salted water, add the pasta, and cook for about 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the spinach with ¼ cup of water until wilted. Drain and press out excess water, then set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in the skillet, add cubed chicken, and cook for 2 minutes until it begins to turn white. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, basil, oregano, and onion, stirring to combine.
4. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the chicken is light golden brown. Transfer to a plate, leaving oil in the skillet. Add more olive oil if needed, then cook onions for 3-4 minutes until softened.
5. Add flour to the skillet, stir to dissolve, and cook for 1 minute. Stir in milk, bring to a boil, and let bubble for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, add cream cheese, and stir until melted. Add Parmesan, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then remove from heat.
6. Chop the spinach and stir into the sauce. Pour the sauce over the pasta, add the chicken, and toss to combine. Transfer to the casserole dish, top with mozzarella, and bake for 25–30 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and the sauce is bubbly.

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