Chicken Burrito Pasta Bake (Printable Version)

Hearty Tex-Mex pasta bake with chicken, beans, and melted cheese

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 10 oz penne or rigatoni pasta

→ Protein

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed

→ Vegetables & Beans

03 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
04 - 1 cup corn kernels
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Sauce

07 - 2 cups tomato salsa
08 - 1/2 cup sour cream

→ Cheese

09 - 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
10 - 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp chili powder
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp salt
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Garnish

16 - Fresh cilantro, chopped
17 - Sliced jalapeños
18 - Lime wedges

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - Sauté onion and bell pepper in a skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add chicken, black beans, corn, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Stir in salsa and sour cream until combined. Remove from heat.
06 - Combine cooked pasta with chicken mixture in a large bowl. Add 1 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup Monterey Jack, stirring to incorporate.
07 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over top.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with cilantro, jalapeños, and lime wedges. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The salsa creates this incredible tangy sauce that coats every bite without any measuring or whisking
  • Everything bakes in one dish meaning cleanup takes literally three minutes
02 -
  • Do not overcook the pasta initially or you will end up with mush
  • The sauce looks thin going into the oven but thickens beautifully while baking
03 -
  • Use half salsa verde and half regular salsa for a flavor twist
  • A little cream cheese stirred into the sauce makes it even more decadent
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