Mary berry Chicken Pasta Bake

Mary Berry Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting family dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, a creamy tomato-based sauce, and a golden melted cheese topping. It is rich, satisfying, and packed with flavour while remaining simple enough for beginner cooks. The pasta stays soft and creamy, while the cheese creates a deliciously crisp finish. This easy recipe takes around 55 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Mary Berry Chicken Pasta Bake

Recipe by Ibrahim KhanCourse: Main CourseCuisine: BritishDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

30

minutes

Cooking time

40

minutes

Calories

300

kcal

Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

Creamy chicken pasta bake with tender chicken pieces, pasta, rich tomato sauce, and a golden cheese topping. A comforting family meal that’s easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

• 300g dried penne pasta

• 2 cooked chicken breasts, diced

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, crushed

• 400g chopped tomatoes

• 2 tbsp tomato purée

• 150ml double cream

• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs

• 100g mature Cheddar cheese, grated

• 50g mozzarella cheese, grated

• Salt, to taste

• Black pepper, to taste

• Butter, for greasing

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
• Cook the pasta in salted boiling water until just tender. Drain and set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes until softened.
• Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Stir in chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.
• Stir in the cream and diced chicken until fully combined.
• Mix the cooked pasta into the sauce and transfer to the prepared baking dish.
• Sprinkle over the Cheddar and mozzarella cheeses.
• Bake for 20 minutes until bubbling and golden. Leave to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

• Cook pasta until just al dente to prevent softness after baking.
• Use leftover roast chicken for a quick meal.
• Add vegetables such as spinach, mushrooms, or sweetcorn for extra flavour.

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• 300g dried penne pasta
• 2 cooked chicken breasts, diced

For the Sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 400g tin chopped tomatoes
• 2 tbsp tomato purée
• 150ml double cream
• 1 tsp dried mixed herbs
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste

For the Topping

• 100g mature Cheddar cheese, grated
• 50g mozzarella cheese, grated
• Butter, for greasing the dish

How to Make Mary Berry Chicken Pasta Bake

• Prepare the oven: Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C fan. Grease a large ovenproof baking dish and set aside.
• Cook the pasta: Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta until just tender, then drain thoroughly.
• Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan. Cook the onion for 5 minutes until soft, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes: Stir in the chopped tomatoes, tomato purée, mixed herbs, salt, and pepper. Simmer gently for 10 minutes until slightly thickened.
• Mix in the cream and chicken: Stir the cream into the sauce, then add the diced cooked chicken and mix well.
• Combine with pasta: Add the drained pasta to the sauce and stir until every piece is coated.
• Assemble the bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
• Add the topping: Sprinkle the Cheddar and mozzarella evenly over the top.
• Bake: Bake for 20 minutes until bubbling around the edges and golden on top.
• Cool slightly and serve: Leave the pasta bake to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Tips for the Best Chicken Pasta Bake

How do I stop the pasta from becoming too soft?

Cook the pasta until just al dente. It will continue cooking in the oven.

How can I make the sauce creamier?

Add a little extra cream or stir in a spoonful of cream cheese before baking.

Can I use leftover chicken?

Yes. Roast chicken or leftover cooked chicken works perfectly and saves preparation time.

How do I get a golden cheese topping?

Place the dish on the upper-middle shelf of the oven during the final few minutes of baking.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve with garlic bread.
• Pair with a fresh green salad.
• Enjoy with steamed vegetables.
• Serve alongside roasted broccoli.
• Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving.

Storage

Room Temperature

Do not leave the pasta bake at room temperature for more than 2 hours.

Refrigerator

Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat thoroughly before serving.

Freezing

Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Nutrition

• Calories: 520 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 45g
• Protein: 33g
• Fat: 23g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Sodium: 620mg

Nutritional values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients used.

FAQs