Do you love traditional Italian chicken cacciatore, but want things to be quick in the kitchen? This easy chicken cacciatore pasta casserole recipe comes together fast in one dish and is baked for a hands-off dinner idea.
There’s no need to pre-cook the noodles, they go in dry with the sauce and meat and cook entirely in the oven.
This best of all family comfort foods then gets topped with mozzarella for an extra cheesy one pot meal!
Did you know that cacciatore means hunter? Well, I didn’t.
I didn’t even know chicken cacciatore existed until a few weeks ago.
I was looking for easy dinners and came across this Italian/American dish. We love things drenched in tomato sauce so I thought it couldn’t hurt to try it.
One thing that often stresses me out when I’m preparing our meals is that I have a noisy darling little thing clutching my legs while I’m trying to handle the meat, the side dish and the baby food.
So I thought – why not add the flavors of the easy chicken cacciatore to a pasta bake?
Let me just say, it tastes brilliant. Brilliant doesn’t even do it justice.
It’s huntingly good (see what I did there? So clever cheesy whoops, did it again).
The first time round I pre-cooked the pasta but I found it turned out a bit too mushy that way.
So I tried adding it uncooked and it was just perfect.
You get those browned crunchy pieces just under the layer of cheese and the rest of the pasta is cooked exactly right.
And the best thing? You only have one dish to wash! No extra pan to boil the pasta, not even a colander to drain it.
I have already added this recipe to our regular dinner routine – and let me just say this: You should do so as well. It’s easy, it’s simple and everyone will love it!
One Dish Easy Chicken Cacciatore Pasta Bake
Recipe details
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 chicken breasts I used boneless, skinless
- salt & pepper to taste
- 2 large peppers diced
- 1 onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 (12-oz) box penne pasta I used whole wheat
- 1 (24-oz) jar tomato basil spaghetti sauce OR use 1 24-oz jar crushed tomatoes with your own seasoning
- 1 ¼ cup water
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 handful fresh basil leaves optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 360°F (180°C). Grease a very deep 7×11 inch casserole dish with the olive oil. (I used an 8×12 inch dish from IKEA).
- Place the chicken breasts at the bottom of the casserole dish and sprinkle with salt & pepper.
- Evenly top with the chopped peppers, onion and garlic. Add the dry pasta in top and push everything slightly down. Carefully pour the spaghetti sauce and water over everything, spreading it out evenly with the back of a spoon.
- Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminium foil and bake on the middle rack for 60 to 80 minutes (this time really depends on how hot your oven runs!) or until the pasta is almost done. Remove the foil, sprinkle the cheese on top and finish baking for 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Spoon the pasta onto four plates and top each serving with a chicken breast and vegetables. Sprinkle with fresh basil leaves if you like and serve immediately.
Lyssa J says
Hey. I’m wondering if this can be cooked right in a crockpot?
Nora says
Lyssa, I have never tried! But good idea, I’ll have to think about it.
Shirley A. Tighter says
Chicken breast come in all sizes. What total poundage are you talking about for the four breasts?
Nora says
1 – 1.5 pounds is what 4 chicken breasts usually weigh for me, Shirley. Hope this helps!
Dija says
It was very nice and was easy to make my family loved it
Nora says
I’m so glad, Dija! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I appreciate it very much.
Jacqui J. says
About the large peppers, are you meaning bell peppers? Will be making this tonight. Thanks!
Nora says
Hi Jacqui, sorry for the confusion! Yes, bell peppers 🙂
Bambi says
Easy an its in the oven now!
Favorite from childhood too an so much easier!
Thanks!
Nora says
I hope you loved the Chicken Cacciatore, Bambi! It’s so easy to make, right? Thanks for taking time out of your day to not only trust in my recipe, but to also come back and review it – I appreciate it so much!
Chris says
Do you think I could put this in my dutch oven and cook with the cover on? Do you think that would increase the cook time? Thanks, looking forward to making it!
Nora says
Hi Chris
I can’t say for sure because I haven’t tried it, but I’d imagine it to work! Hope that helps 🙂
Elise says
The dish was delicious, however it took far longer than suggested time….I had to turn it up to 400 after suggested time And left it in oven for another 1/2 hour. I cant wait to make again, however I’ll bake at 400. Kids also loved this meal!
Nora says
Hi Elise, I’m glad you liked the recipe! That’s so strange it took so much longer for you to cook – did you use a smaller pan? I’ve made this multiple times, and when I leave it in even a little too long, I tend to think it’s overcooked. Strange! But that’s often the case with baked recipes – ovens behave so differently, it’s hard to give accurate instructions! I’m happy to read you were able to save it though!
Libby says
Can I use pre cooked chicken (rotisserie) instead ?
Nora says
Hi Libby, since the chicken gets cooked in the process I’m not sure if you could sub in pre-cooked chicken. It might turn out dry. In that case I’d suggest pre-cooking the pasta, assembling as instructed and then baking just until the veggies are cooked (I’d guess 30 minutes).
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
This sounds amazing!! That pasta is calling my name! And such gorgeous photos. Pinned!!
Andi @ The Weary Chef says
Nora, these photos are so gorgeous. I love recipes that use uncooked pasta because they are so easy to pop in the oven to cook all at once. Hope to try this one soon!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
This is truly a great one pan dish! I know summer is typically not associated with oven recipes, but something about baked pasta is soooo ‘summer cookout’ to me and really feels seasonal 🙂
Nora says
Right? I’m glad I’m not the only weirdo who enjoys pasta bakes during the summer 🙂 Thanks Medha!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I love chicken cacciatore! Especially because it’s so fun to say. Cacciatore! Beautiful pictures as always Nora 🙂
Nora says
It’s soon fun to say!! 😀 Thanks Natalie!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
What?! I love this! I’m all about less prep! Pinned 🙂
Nora says
Haha, thanks Ashley!!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says
This looks amazing Nora!!! I love how easy it is! Pinned!
Nora says
Thanks Mariah!
Sara says
I LOVE one pot meals and this looks like a great one! I’m putting it on my meal plan for next week. 🙂
Nora says
Thanks Sara!
Izzy says
I’ve never eaten cacciatore before, but I love any baked pasta dish drenched in sauce and cheese! It is almost time for me to go to bed but now you have me craving a big bowl of pasta! The photos e beautiful 🙂
Nora says
Thanks Izzy!!
Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner says
This is definitely my kind of meal – love it!
Nora says
Thanks Deb!
Michelle { A Latte Food } says
I love one dish meals! They actually make me feel like I can get dinner out in a reasonable time frame! This one looks so delicious, Nora! That cheesy goodness is killing me. Love it!
Nora says
Thanks Michelle!!
Annie says
This is beautiful! I love how easy this is! I actually just started experimenting with pasta bakes where you don’t precook the pasta -so much easier! And better! I am going to add this to our menu for next week!
And I am loving the new design!!!
Nora says
It really is so much easier!! Thanks Annie – it’s kind of an emergency design because my blog was acting up 🙁
Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says
I love that you can skip cooking the pasta! My guys are going to love this recipe!
Nora says
Thanks Amy!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I wasn’t familiar with chicken cacciatore until my mom made it for me right after Kai was born…I seriously devoured it, and I’m pretty sure I’d devour this too! Looks delicious, and love that you don’t need to cook the noodles separately! Love those accidental short-cuts! (And STUNNING photos!)
Nora says
Thanks so much, Denise!!!