Chicken and Cheese Pasta Bake
45 min
A hearty pasta casserole featuring tender chicken, vegetables, and melted cheese in a savory tomato sauce
pastachickenbaked
Dead simple weeknight dinner — pasta, sausage, and leek all baked together in one dish. Ready in about 40 minutes.
Instructions
- 1
Slice the sausage into rounds and cut the leek into rings.
- 2
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, or use leftover cooked pasta.
- 3
Mix the sausage, leek, and pasta together in a deep ovenproof dish. Whisk together the cream cheese spread, grated cheese, and crème fraîche, then season with a little salt and pepper.
- 4
Pour the sauce over the sausage mixture and place the dish in the middle of a preheated oven at 200 °C for 15–20 minutes, until it's bubbling nicely and the sauce has turned golden.
Per average serving
712
Calories
kcal
25.4
Protein
g
62.2
Carbs
g
39.9
Fat
g
2.6g
Fiber
4.6g
Sugar
1027mg
Sodium
Family Portions
2portions
Adults
2
Children
No children added
Ingredients
Per average serving
712
Calories
kcal
25.4
Protein
g
62.2
Carbs
g
39.9
Fat
g
2.6g
Fiber
4.6g
Sugar
1027mg
Sodium
Tips from the kitchen
- Slice the leek into thin rings and rinse them well in a colander. Grit hides between the layers and you won't notice it until you bite down.
- Drain the pasta a minute early so it's still a bit firm. It keeps baking in the oven, and overcooked spirals go mushy under the sauce.
- The cream cheese spread can be stiff straight from the fridge. Whisk it with the crème fraîche first, then fold in the grated cheese, so the sauce pours evenly instead of sitting in clumps.
- Brown the sausage rounds in a dry pan for a few minutes before they go in the dish if you have time. They cook through fine in the oven, but a quick sear gives them more color.
- It's done when the top is golden and the edges are bubbling. If the sauce still looks pale and loose after 20 minutes, give it a few more minutes.
Ways to vary it
- Swap the pork sausage for chicken sausage if that's what's in the fridge. It works the same way.
- A handful of frozen peas or some broccoli florets stirred in with the pasta adds a bit of green if you want it.
- If you like more heat, the pepperoni version of the cream cheese spread leans spicier than the salami one.
Storage & leftovers
Keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days in a sealed container. It freezes okay, though the sauce can split a little once thawed. Reheat in the oven at 180 °C with a splash of water or a spoon of crème fraîche stirred through, since the pasta soaks up the sauce as it sits.
What to serve with it
A simple green salad with a sharp vinaigrette cuts through the creamy sauce. Some bread on the side is good for mopping up the dish.
UC
By Untrained ChefPublished 16 May 2026 · Updated 11 July 2026
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