Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake (Perfect for Meal Prep!)

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

If you’re craving a quick and comforting meal, this chicken pesto pasta recipe is going to be your new go-to! It’s creamy, flavorful, and satisfying—everything you want in a pasta bake. It’s also a fantastic freezer meal for busy weeknights or when you want to bring dinner to a friend. Whether you’re prepping for a family dinner or building your freezer stash, this recipe is one of the best ways to get a delicious meal on the table fast.

With tender grilled chicken, cheesy tomato pesto sauce, and hearty pasta, this dish is like a mashup of lasagna and pasta bake—but even easier. It’s flexible, too! You can switch up the sauces, use different cheeses, and even try alternative pastas to suit your needs.

This easy recipe was first introduced to me during a neighborhood freezer meal swap. One bite and I knew I had to recreate it—and now it’s one of our family’s favorites. Let me show you how to make it!

Grilling the Chicken

For the best flavor and texture, I recommend grilling your own chicken breasts or thighs. If the weather’s nice, fire up your grill and cook a batch of chicken to use in this pasta. If you’re short on time, rotisserie chicken or store-bought grilled chicken strips can also work—just know that the flavor might not be as rich.

Once your chicken is grilled, slice or chop it into bite-sized pieces and coat generously with pesto. Set aside while you prepare the pasta and sauce mixture.

Choosing the Right Pesto and Pasta Sauce

You can make your own pesto or grab a jar from the store. I love using the Costco brand pesto—it’s flavorful and affordable.

For the tomato base, I like to mix one jar of Classico Spicy Tomato and Basil with one jar of a creamy or cheesy tomato sauce. This gives you a balanced blend of spice and richness that pairs perfectly with the pesto and grilled chicken. You could even toss in a handful of shredded mozzarella or Parmesan for more cheesiness.

Assembling and Freezing the Pasta Bake

I use a full box (14.5 oz) of penne pasta, which fills two 8×8 pans or one very full 9×13. This recipe is hearty and makes a lot—perfect for batch cooking or feeding a crowd. If you want smaller portions, you can divide it into more shallow foil containers or even freezer-safe meal prep bowls.

To freeze: Let everything cool completely, then cover tightly with foil and label with the name and date. When you’re ready to bake, simply thaw in the fridge overnight and bake at 350°F until bubbly and hot in the center (usually 30–40 minutes).

Final Thoughts

This chicken pesto pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food with a twist—bold flavors from the pesto, savory grilled chicken, and cheesy goodness in every bite. It’s quick to prep, freezes beautifully, and is always a crowd-pleaser.

I’ve made this dish countless times for my own family, neighbors, and freezer meal swaps. It’s become a dependable staple for busy nights and makes a fantastic gift meal for new parents or friends recovering from illness. It’s just that good!

Don’t forget—you can easily change it up based on what you have on hand. Try different cheeses, use sausage instead of chicken, or go meatless with sautéed veggies for a vegetarian version. However you make it, it’s bound to be a hit.

FAQs About Chicken Pesto Pasta

Can I use store-bought grilled chicken?

Yes! Store-bought grilled chicken is a great time-saver. Just be sure it’s not overly seasoned or flavored with something that might clash with the pesto.

Can I freeze this before or after baking?

Either works! I prefer freezing before baking for best texture. Just thaw and bake when ready to eat.

What other pasta shapes can I use?

Penne works great, but rotini, rigatoni, or ziti are all good substitutes. Choose a sturdy shape that holds sauce well.

What side dishes go with chicken pesto pasta?

Pair it with a green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. It’s also great with a simple side of steamed broccoli.

More Meal Prep Recipes:

• Barbecue Bacon Meatballs
• Cheesy Spinach Burgers Recipe
• Simple Orange Chicken Freezer Meal Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe (Freezer Meal)

Prepare this creamy chicken pesto pasta recipe beforehand and heat it up on a busy weeknight! It's healthy and so delicious!

4.50 / 5 ( 2 Reviews )

Print Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour hour

Total Time: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Serves: 8

Adjust Servings: 8

US CustomaryMetric

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken
• 1 cup pesto divided
• 14.5 ounces penne pasta
• 48 ounces pasta sauce
• 8 ounces part skim ricotta cheese
• 8 ounces cottage cheese
• 1 cup frozen chopped spinach thawed and drained
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese divided

Instructions

• Season and grill the chicken or you can use rotisserie chicken too. Cube the cooked chicken and toss in 1/2 cup pesto. Set aside. Cook the pasta to al dente.
• Preheat oven to 350°F/175°C.
• Meanwhile, mix the pasta sauce and 1/2 cup pesto together in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together ricotta, cottage cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, spinach, parmesan, and eggs. Then add the cooked pasta to the cheese mixture and gently stir to combine.
• In a 9x13 (or two 8x8 pans), layer sauce, pasta mixture, chicken, sauce, pasta mixture, chicken, sauce. Bake in a preheated oven for 40 minutes uncovered, top with remaining mozzarella and bake for 5 minutes more.

Preparing For the Freezer:

• Layer as instructed, then top with the remaining 1 cup mozzarella cheese. Wrap with 2 layers of plastic wrap, then cover with foil, label and freeze.

Prepare after Freezing:

• Thaw for about 24 hours in refrigerator, unwrap and bake as usual. Or keep frozen, unwrap, then re-cover with one layer of foil. Bake covered for about 30 minutes at 300 degrees. Increase oven temperature to 350. Remove foil and bake for about 40 more minutes, until cheese is melted and filling is bubbling and warmed through.

Nutrition

Calories: 594kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 28g | Sodium: 1598mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g