Low Fat Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake

Indulge in comfort food without the guilt with this Low Fat Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake, a delightful fusion of wholesome ingredients and creamy goodness. This recipe combines tender chunks of seasoned chicken, whole wheat pasta, and a velvety low-fat cheese sauce made with skim milk and a hint of Italian seasoning. Packed with fresh spinach and juicy cherry tomatoes, it sneaks in a healthy dose of veggies while remaining irresistibly savory. Topped with a sprinkle of low-fat cheddar and baked to golden perfection, this dish is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings. Ready in under an hour and perfectly portioned for four servings, this lighter pasta bake is a go-to recipe for those craving cheesy satisfaction while keeping it low in fat.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:45 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 ounces whole wheat pasta
• 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese
• 1 cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.

Step 3

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken breasts and cook until browned on both sides and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and let rest.

Step 4

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add whole wheat pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 5

In the same skillet used for the chicken, add low-fat cream cheese and skim milk. Cook over low heat, stirring, until smooth.

Step 6

Mix cornstarch with chicken broth in a small bowl, then add to the skillet. Stir until the mixture thickens.

Step 7

Add shredded low-fat cheddar cheese and Italian seasoning to the sauce, stirring until the cheese has melted.

Step 8

Cut the cooled chicken into bite-sized pieces and add to the skillet, along with the cooked pasta, fresh spinach, and cherry tomatoes. Stir until well combined.

Step 9

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and sprinkle a little more shredded cheese on top if desired.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove from oven, let it cool slightly, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1403.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1762.7

Total Fat 58.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 24.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 383.6mg	0%
Sodium 3965.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 103.2g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.3g	0%
Total Sugars 22.7g
Protein 197.6g	0%

Vitamin D 124.8IU	0%
Calcium 1461.2mg	0%
Iron 11.1mg	0%
Potassium 2471.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.5%

Protein: 45.6%

Carbs: 23.8%