Try this creamy tomato chicken pasta bake recipe filled with flavour. The perfect comfort food that is bound to please the whole family.
Ingredients
500 g pasta
4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts. cut into cubes of 2,5 cm (or chicken strips)
200 g streaky bacon. cut into bite-sized pieces
4 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 onion finely chopped
1 red pepper chopped
1 yellow/orange pepper chopped
1½ cup sundried tomatoes (in oil) roughly chopped
2 cups tomato purée
¾ cup cream
1½ tsp smoked paprika
1½ tsp dried basil
2 cups mozzarella grated
½ cup grated Parmesan
Freshly ground salt and pepper
Fresh basil leaves for garnishing
Method
1. Cook the penne pasta.
2. On a medium temperature, heat a little olive oil in a pan, add the bacon, onion and garlic. Then add the red and yellow peppers.
3. Cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring continuously.
4. When the bacon has browned and the peppers and onions are soft, remove them from the pan and set aside.
5. Return the same pan to the stove, add a little olive oil and the cubed chicken. Sprinkle with the paprika and season with some freshly ground salt and pepper. Cook on a medium-high heat for about 6 minutes on each side, until the chicken has browned all over.
6. Reduce the heat and stir in the cooked ingredients, then the sundried tomatoes.
7. Pour in the tomato purée and add the dried basil.
8. Continue to stir while adding in the cream.
9. Season with a little more salt and pepper, then allow the sauce to thicken for a few mins.
10. Pour the creamy tomato chicken into the pot of cooked pasta and toss through.
11. Transfer half of the pasta into an oven proof dish, sprinkle with half of the grated mozzarella, then repeat the process again.
12. Lastly, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
13. Bake in a pre-heated, 180°C oven, for 30-35 mins.
14. Remove from the oven, garnish with some fresh, shredded basil leaves and serve.
Source: foodloversmarket.co.za
