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Home / Recipes / Dinner / Casseroles / One Dish Easy Chicken Cacciatore Pasta Bake

One Dish Easy Chicken Cacciatore Pasta Bake

1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
| 40 Comments |
4.80 from 10 votes
Jump to Recipe 05/28/15 | Updated: 05/24/20 | by Nora

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.

chicken cacciatore with pasta on white plate with text overlay

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?

casserole dish with pasta and cheese

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.

scooping chicken pasta casserole from baking dish

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!

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casserole dish with pasta and cheese
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One Dish Easy Chicken Cacciatore Pasta Bake

This is such an easy chicken cacciatore recipe! Everything comes together in one casserole dish, you don’t even need to pre-cook the pasta!
Recipe by Nora from Savory Nothings
made it? tap the stars to add your rating!
4.80 from 10 votes
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Recipe details

Prep 10 minutes mins
Cook 1 hour hr
Total 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Servings 4 servings
Difficulty Easy

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.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 655kcal
Nutrition is an estimate.

More recipe information

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings
About Nora 
When I got married to my professional chef husband, I realized I had to step up my game in the kitchen. Now I share my favorite foolproof family recipes here on Savory Nothings: Chef-approved, kid-vetted and easy enough for everyday home cooks like you and me!   Learn more.

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Comments

  1. Lyssa J says

    December 02, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Hey. I’m wondering if this can be cooked right in a crockpot?

    Reply
    • Nora says

      December 08, 2021 at 10:44 pm

      Lyssa, I have never tried! But good idea, I’ll have to think about it.

      Reply
  2. Shirley A. Tighter says

    January 02, 2021 at 1:28 am

    Chicken breast come in all sizes. What total poundage are you talking about for the four breasts?

    Reply
    • Nora says

      January 10, 2021 at 4:23 pm

      1 – 1.5 pounds is what 4 chicken breasts usually weigh for me, Shirley. Hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. Dija says

    June 06, 2020 at 12:10 am

    5 stars
    It was very nice and was easy to make my family loved it

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 09, 2020 at 3:45 pm

      I’m so glad, Dija! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review, I appreciate it very much.

      Reply
  4. Jacqui J. says

    November 10, 2017 at 6:38 pm

    5 stars
    About the large peppers, are you meaning bell peppers? Will be making this tonight. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 13, 2017 at 9:21 pm

      Hi Jacqui, sorry for the confusion! Yes, bell peppers 🙂

      Reply
  5. Bambi says

    October 31, 2017 at 1:49 am

    5 stars
    Easy an its in the oven now!
    Favorite from childhood too an so much easier!
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      November 02, 2017 at 7:58 am

      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!

      Reply
  6. Chris says

    September 25, 2016 at 12:40 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      September 26, 2016 at 10:19 am

      Hi Chris

      I can’t say for sure because I haven’t tried it, but I’d imagine it to work! Hope that helps 🙂

      Reply
  7. Elise says

    July 17, 2016 at 11:57 pm

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      July 20, 2016 at 10:09 am

      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!

      Reply
  8. Libby says

    February 15, 2016 at 5:49 pm

    Can I use pre cooked chicken (rotisserie) instead ?

    Reply
    • Nora says

      March 16, 2016 at 6:00 pm

      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).

      Reply
  9. Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says

    June 03, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    This sounds amazing!! That pasta is calling my name! And such gorgeous photos. Pinned!!

    Reply
  10. Andi @ The Weary Chef says

    June 02, 2015 at 3:11 pm

    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!

    Reply
  11. Medha @ Whisk & Shout says

    May 30, 2015 at 3:53 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:26 pm

      Right? I’m glad I’m not the only weirdo who enjoys pasta bakes during the summer 🙂 Thanks Medha!

      Reply
  12. Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says

    May 29, 2015 at 8:42 pm

    I love chicken cacciatore! Especially because it’s so fun to say. Cacciatore! Beautiful pictures as always Nora 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:25 pm

      It’s soon fun to say!! 😀 Thanks Natalie!

      Reply
  13. Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says

    May 29, 2015 at 8:23 pm

    What?! I love this! I’m all about less prep! Pinned 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:25 pm

      Haha, thanks Ashley!!

      Reply
  14. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    May 29, 2015 at 7:19 am

    This looks amazing Nora!!! I love how easy it is! Pinned!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks Mariah!

      Reply
  15. Sara says

    May 29, 2015 at 7:01 am

    I LOVE one pot meals and this looks like a great one! I’m putting it on my meal plan for next week. 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:24 pm

      Thanks Sara!

      Reply
  16. Izzy says

    May 29, 2015 at 6:15 am

    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 🙂

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:23 pm

      Thanks Izzy!!

      Reply
  17. Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner says

    May 29, 2015 at 3:35 am

    This is definitely my kind of meal – love it!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks Deb!

      Reply
  18. Michelle { A Latte Food } says

    May 29, 2015 at 3:24 am

    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!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      Thanks Michelle!!

      Reply
  19. Annie says

    May 29, 2015 at 1:31 am

    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!!!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:21 pm

      It really is so much easier!! Thanks Annie – it’s kind of an emergency design because my blog was acting up 🙁

      Reply
  20. Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me says

    May 29, 2015 at 12:26 am

    I love that you can skip cooking the pasta! My guys are going to love this recipe!

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:20 pm

      Thanks Amy!

      Reply
  21. Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says

    May 28, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    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!)

    Reply
    • Nora says

      June 01, 2015 at 7:20 pm

      Thanks so much, Denise!!!

      Reply

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Nora Rusev from Savory Nothings

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Hi, I'm Nora! I wasn't always a good cook, but then I fell in love with a professional chef and learned my way around the kitchen. Now I share all my secrets to effortlessly great food here on my blog, bite-sized for home cooks just like me and you.

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