Ingredients You’ll Need
Pasta
- 500 g rigatoni or penne pasta
- salt for boiling water
Chicken Filling
- 3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 2 cups tomato sauce or marinara
- 1/2 cup tomato paste or pizza sauce
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- salt & pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Cheese Layer
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1 cup cheddar or gouda
- 1/2 cup parmesan (optional)
Optional Add-ins
- mushrooms
- bell peppers
- spinach
- olives
- chili flakes
- cream cheese
- white sauce
🔥 Step 1 – Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.
Add rigatoni.
Cook until al dente (slightly firm).
Don’t overcook — it will cook more in the oven.
Drain and set aside.
Tip: Toss with a little olive oil to prevent sticking.
🍗 Step 2 – Prepare the Chicken Filling
In a large pan over medium heat:
Add olive oil.
Cook onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.
Add shredded chicken.
Stir for 2–3 minutes.
Now add:
- tomato sauce
- tomato paste
- spices
- salt & pepper
Simmer 5–7 minutes.
You want a thick, rich sauce — not watery.
Taste and adjust seasoning.
This is where all the flavor builds.
Your kitchen will smell amazing already 😍
🧀 Step 3 – Mix Pasta with Sauce
In a big bowl combine:
- cooked pasta
- chicken sauce mixture
Mix until every piece of pasta is coated.
The sauce should hug the pasta nicely.
If it looks dry, add a little extra sauce.
🥘 Step 4 – Assemble the Casserole
Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
Grease a baking dish or foil tray.
Layer like this:
1️⃣ Half pasta mixture
2️⃣ Half cheese
3️⃣ Remaining pasta
4️⃣ Lots of cheese on top
Be generous with cheese.
The cheesy top crust is EVERYTHING.
Optional: sprinkle parmesan for extra flavor.
🔥 Step 5 – Bake Until Golden
Bake for 20–25 minutes.
You’ll know it’s ready when:
- cheese is melted
- edges bubbling
- top slightly golden
- smells irresistible
Optional: broil 2 minutes for extra browning.
Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving.
This helps it hold shape when slicing.
😍 Texture & Flavor
This dish is pure comfort:
Top → stretchy melted cheese
Middle → creamy saucy pasta
Bottom → rich chicken filling
It’s cheesy, savory, slightly tangy from tomato, and super satisfying.
Every bite is warm and cozy.
Classic comfort food at its best.
🍽 Serving Ideas
Serve with:
- garlic bread
- fresh salad
- roasted vegetables
- coleslaw
- soup
- or just by itself
It’s already very filling.
Perfect for big hungry families.
🧠 Pro Tips for Best Results
Cook pasta al dente
Prevents mushy texture
Use good sauce
Better sauce = better taste
Don’t skimp on cheese
That’s the magic
Let rest before cutting
Helps slices stay neat
Add a little cream
For extra richness (optional)
🔄 Fun Variations
Switch it up easily:
Creamy version
Add béchamel or white sauce
Spicy
Add chili flakes or hot sauce
Veggie
Add spinach + mushrooms
Mexican twist
Add taco seasoning + corn
Extra cheesy
Add ricotta or cream cheese
Beef version
Swap chicken for ground beef
❄️ Storage & Meal Prep
Fridge:
3–4 days airtight
Freezer:
Up to 2 months
Reheat:
Oven or microwave with splash of sauce
Great for meal prep lunches.
Tastes amazing reheated.
❤️ Final Thoughts
This cheesy baked chicken rigatoni casserole is the kind of recipe everyone should have saved.
Simple. Filling. Comforting. Crowd-pleasing.
It’s not complicated cooking — just honest, delicious food that makes people happy.