Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake: A Fresh Twist on a Beloved Classic

Experience the rich flavors of bite-sized chicken parmesan pieces, fresh spinach, creamy mozzarella, perfectly cooked pasta, and robust Barilla® Marinara Sauce in this delightful pasta bake. It’s an innovative take on classic Chicken Parmesan, perfect for a memorable family meal!

There are certain dishes that transcend mere sustenance, becoming woven into the fabric of our family memories. For me, one such dish was my mother’s Chicken Parmesan. It was a recipe passed down from my aunt, a culinary treasure that quickly became a cherished family favorite, a testament to the power of food to connect generations and create enduring traditions.

The beauty of inherited recipes isn’t just in the flavors they bring to the table, but in the stories they carry. Each ingredient, every step, is infused with the warmth of shared moments, laughter, and sometimes even tears. Food has this incredible ability to bring us together, fostering quality time with family and friends. It’s around the dinner table that some of our most precious memories are forged, creating a comforting sense of belonging that few other experiences can rival. That deep connection to food and family has truly shaped who I am today, drawing me deeper into the culinary world with every passing year.

Growing up, holiday meals with my extended family were highlights I always anticipated. I’ve always loved to eat – who doesn’t, really? These gatherings, centered around delicious home-cooked food, cemented food’s integral role in my life. It inspired a passion that has led me here, fully immersed in the joy of cooking, learning, and sharing culinary experiences with all of you.

Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that combines comfort, ease, and incredible flavor: our Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake. This dish is a perfect example of how simple, high-quality ingredients can elevate a meal from ordinary to extraordinary. And speaking of quality, Barilla® has provided a wonderful opportunity for us to not only enjoy fantastic food but also to give back to the community.

Barilla® and Feeding America: Making a Difference, One Jar at a Time

I am incredibly excited to announce that Barilla®’s “Taste the Difference, Make a Difference” initiative is partnering with Feeding America, the largest domestic hunger-relief organization in the United States. Feeding America operates a vast network of food banks across the country, dedicated to fighting food insecurity and ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious meals. The idea that anyone should go hungry, especially when so much fresh, wholesome food is available, is heartbreaking. This partnership is a meaningful step towards addressing that challenge.

This is where *you* come in! Barilla® is making it easy for all of us to contribute to this vital cause. For every jar of Barilla® sauce purchased between April 1, 2014, and May 31, 2014, Barilla® will donate $0.05 to Feeding America’s National Produce Program. This program is dedicated to sourcing and distributing fresh produce to food banks nationwide. Barilla® has committed to a minimum donation of $150,000, which translates to an incredible 4,200,000 pounds of fresh produce reaching those in need! Imagine the impact that much fresh, healthy food can have on families struggling with hunger.

By choosing Barilla® sauce for your next meal, you’re not just bringing delicious flavor to your table; you’re actively supporting a movement to provide essential nutrition to countless individuals and families. It’s a simple act that yields a profound impact. To learn more about this fantastic initiative, please visit Barilla®’s website.

I’ve relied on Barilla® products for years, from quick weeknight pasta dinners to more elaborate dishes like this Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake. Their commitment to quality ensures that every meal I prepare for my family tastes fresh, authentic, and utterly delicious. It’s a brand I trust, and knowing they’re actively working to make a positive impact in communities makes me appreciate them even more.

Created by: Lynne Feifer

Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake

Course Dinners

Cuisine Italian

Prep Time 40 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

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Servings: 8

Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake is a delicious new twist on an old favorite! Pieces of breaded chicken, pasta, spinach and sauce and mozzarella cheese make this dinner one everyone will enjoy!

Ingredients

1 lb. Gemelli pasta
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts cut up into 1-inch bite-sized pieces
1 egg beaten
¾ cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
6 tablespoons olive oil divided
6 ounce fresh spinach chopped
48 ounces Barilla® Pasta Sauce

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare a 9 X 13-inch baking dish by spraying it with cooking spray.
Boil pasta for 2 minutes less than what is directed on package. Drain and set aside.
In a shallow dish, combine the bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese and mix well.
Working in batches, coat the chicken pieces in egg and then coat completely in the bread/cheese mixture.
Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place half the chicken pieces into the skillet and cook about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Remove and place on a plate covered with a paper towel. Continue process with remaining chicken, adding remaining olive oil to the skillet.
In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chopped spinach and 1 cup mozzarella cheese.
Add both jars of Barilla® sauce. Mix well.
Add chicken pieces and mix to coat.
Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish.
Sprinkle with remaining cup of shredded mozzarella.
Bake for 30 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

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This Chicken Parmesan Spinach Pasta Bake is more than just a recipe; it’s a celebration of comfort food, family tradition, and community spirit. The combination of tender, breaded chicken pieces, fresh spinach, al dente Gemelli pasta, and Barilla® Marinara Sauce creates a symphony of flavors that is both familiar and exciting. Each bite offers the satisfying crunch of chicken, the creamy richness of mozzarella, and the robust tang of a quality marinara, all baked together in a dish that feels like a warm hug.

For best results, I recommend using good quality ingredients, especially when it comes to the sauce. Barilla® Marinara Sauce, with its authentic Italian taste, provides the perfect foundation for this bake. It’s made with simple, wholesome ingredients, ensuring a fresh and delicious flavor that complements the chicken and pasta beautifully. Consider serving this bake with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette and some crusty garlic bread to soak up every last drop of that savory sauce. A glass of your favorite red wine would also make a delightful accompaniment for an adult meal.

You can also customize this recipe to your family’s preferences. Feel free to experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni. If you want to add more vegetables, sautéed mushrooms or bell peppers would be fantastic additions. For an extra layer of flavor, a sprinkle of fresh basil or oregano before baking can really elevate the dish. This recipe is designed to be versatile and adaptable, encouraging you to make it your own while still enjoying the core flavors of a classic chicken parmesan.

It’s truly inspiring to see how many things we do, big or small, can make a significant difference in the lives of those around us. Beyond purchasing Barilla® sauce, there are countless ways to contribute. Perhaps it’s cooking a comforting meal for a neighbor who is going through a tough time, volunteering at your child’s school, lending a hand at the local library, or simply offering a genuine smile and a kind greeting to a stranger. These seemingly small gestures ripple outwards, creating a positive impact that often goes further than we can imagine.

I genuinely want to hear about the ways you make a difference in your daily life. Please share your stories in the comments below. Whether it’s through acts of service, kindness, or connection, every single day offers an opportunity to brighten someone’s world. Your stories inspire me and countless others, reminding us that compassion and community are at the heart of a fulfilling life.

This post is sponsored by Barilla®. Remember, your purchase of Barilla® sauce between April 1, 2014, and May 31, 2014, contributes $0.05 to Feeding America’s National Produce Program, securing one pound of fresh produce for local food banks. Barilla® guarantees a minimum donation of 4.2 million pounds of fresh produce ($150,000) during this period. Thank you for making a difference!

Sending you warm baking hugs and delicious muffins!