@foodtok.diaries2: 🍅🍗 CREAMY TOMATO CHICKEN PASTA BAKE Rich • Cheesy • Comforting • No Cream Needed! 🥣 Ingredients For the Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta 4 tbsp unsalted butter 1 small onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 6 tbsp (½ cup) plain flour / all-purpose flour 2 cups (500 ml) milk 2 cups (500 ml) tomato passata 1 cup (250 ml) water or chicken/vegetable broth 2 tsp salt, or to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 cups dried ziti or penne pasta, uncooked 2 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese 🌿 Optional Garnishes Fresh basil leaves Freshly grated Parmesan cheese 👩‍🍳 Instructions Step 1: Preheat the Oven Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Prepare a deep oven-safe skillet or baking dish large enough to hold the pasta and sauce. Step 2: Sauté the Onion and Garlic Melt the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, then sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened, fragrant, and translucent. Sprinkle in the flour and stir well to combine. Cook for another 2 minutes, stirring continuously to remove the raw flour taste. Step 3: Make the Creamy Tomato Sauce Gradually pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming. Whisk for about 1 minute, until the mixture begins to thicken. Add the tomato passata, water or broth, salt, and black pepper. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for approximately 5 minutes, whisking occasionally at first and continuously during the final 2 minutes. The sauce should become smooth, rich, and thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Taste and adjust: If the tomato sauce tastes a little too acidic, add 1–2 teaspoons of sugar, a little at a time, until the flavour is balanced. Step 4: Add the Pasta, Chicken, and Cheddar Add the uncooked ziti or penne pasta, shredded cooked chicken, and cheddar cheese directly to the sauce. Stir thoroughly until the pasta is coated and the chicken and cheese are evenly distributed. Allow everything to cook together on the stovetop for approximately 1 minute, then remove the skillet from the heat. Step 5: Add the Mozzarella Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top, creating a delicious cheesy layer that will melt beautifully in the oven. If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the mixture to a suitable baking dish before adding the mozzarella. Step 6: Bake Until Perfectly Cheesy Cover the skillet or baking dish with an oven-safe lid or aluminium foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove the lid or foil and continue baking for another 5 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and the pasta bake is bubbling around the edges. Step 7: Rest, Garnish, and Serve Remove the pasta bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. This allows the sauce to settle and the flavours to come together. Finish with fresh basil leaves and a generous sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, if desired. Serve warm and enjoy every creamy, cheesy, tomato-filled bite! 🍅🧀 ✨ Tips for the Perfect Pasta Bake Use a good-quality tomato passata: It makes a big difference to the flavour and richness of the sauce. Whisk the sauce thoroughly: Adding the milk gradually helps create a smooth, lump-free base. Balance the acidity: A little sugar can soften the sharpness of the tomatoes if needed. Choose sturdy pasta: Ziti and penne hold their shape well and capture the creamy sauce. Don't skip the resting time: Five minutes helps the sauce settle before serving. Make it your own: Add spinach, mushrooms, or extra vegetables for a delicious variation. ❤️ Your New Favourite Comfort Food! This Creamy Tomato Chicken Pasta Bake proves that you don't need heavy cream to make a rich, satisfying pasta dish. The silky tomato sauce, tender chicken, hearty pasta, and bubbling cheese topping come together to create a meal the whole family will love. Made with love by FoodTok Diaries ❤️ #creatorsearchinsights #pastalover #chickenpasta #FoodTok #easyfood

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Thursday 22 October 2026 04:38:14 GMT