This dump-and-bake Tuscan rooster bake is a creamy, tacky, and flavor-packed dish. With rooster, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach baked with pasta in a luscious coconut milk and cheese sauce, this recipe is each indulgent and easy. Good for weeknight dinners or a comfy weekend meal, it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll wish to make repeatedly.
When you’re into creamy, comforting meals which can be tremendous simple to drag off, this Tuscan rooster bake goes to hit the spot.
It’s full of rooster, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes, all baked collectively in a tacky, creamy sauce with pasta. It’s a kind of dishes that feels just a little fancy however is definitely easy sufficient for a weeknight.
When you’re loving the sound of this, you may also wish to attempt my Rooster Pesto Pasta or Caprese Rooster Skillet. They’re simply as scrumptious and ideal for once you want one thing cozy and satisfying.
What We Assume You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
Make sure to take a look at the complete recipe and ingredient checklist under
- Rooster Breasts. We use boneless, skinless rooster breasts, reduce into smaller items to ensure they cook dinner evenly and keep tender.
You will want to chop the breasts into cutlets. As talked about in our mushroom rooster submit, Critical Eats has an awesome tutorial on methods to reduce rooster breasts into cutlets. Then reduce every cutlet in half to make 8 rooster breast items in complete.
When you desire, boneless rooster thighs additionally work nicely. - Pasta. Brief pasta like penne or fusilli is right as a result of it holds onto the sauce superbly. Gluten-free pasta can be utilized instead—simply alter the cooking time, as it might cook dinner quicker.
- Unsweetened Coconut Milk: Make sure to use unsweetened full-fat coconut milk. We selected coconut milk as an alternative of heavy cream as a result of heavy cream tends to upset my husband’s abdomen, and it really works splendidly on this recipe! It provides the sauce a creamy, wealthy texture with a refined sweetness that balances the savory flavors. When you don’t have coconut milk or don’t wish to use it, the most effective substitutes are heavy cream or half-and-half (if dairy isn’t a difficulty) or cashew cream for a dairy-free possibility.
- Solar-Dried Tomatoes. These add tangy taste. When you don’t have sun-dried tomatoes, roasted purple peppers and even halved cherry tomatoes could make substitute.
- Child Spinach. Recent spinach provides colour and vitamins to the dish. Kale or Swiss chard can even work, although they could should be chopped finely or cooked barely beforehand.
- Parmesan Cheese. This provides a salty, nutty taste to the sauce.
- Mozzarella Cheese. Mozzarella provides the bake that melty, golden topping everybody loves.
- Italian Seasoning. A store-bought Italian seasoning mix is fast and straightforward, however you possibly can combine your individual with dried basil, oregano, rosemary, and thyme.
- Rooster Broth. Rooster broth enhances the flavour of the sauce and ensures it’s not overly thick.
- Crimson Pepper Flakes (Elective). These add a mild kick of warmth. When you’re not a fan of spice, be happy to skip them or cut back the quantity.
How you can Make It (Step-By-Step Images)
Marinate the Rooster: In a small bowl, whisk collectively the marinade elements, pour over the rooster in a resealable bag or dish, and refrigerate for half-hour to 4 hours.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C).
Suggestions for Success
- Marinate for Most Taste and Juiciness. Let the rooster marinate for at the very least half-hour, however if in case you have time, go for the complete 4 hours to infuse the rooster with extra taste.
- Sear for Additional Depth. Whereas elective, a fast sear on the rooster provides a layer of taste and helps seal within the juices. It’s value the additional step if in case you have time.
- Use Unsweetened Coconut Milk. Make sure to use unsweetened full-fat coconut milk to keep away from an excessively candy or skinny sauce.
- Select the Proper Pasta. Brief pasta shapes like penne or fusilli maintain up greatest throughout baking and absorb the sauce superbly. Keep away from delicate shapes which will overcook or break aside.
- Test for Doneness. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the rooster reaches an inside temperature of 165 F (74 C). This prevents overcooking and retains the rooster juicy.
- Don’t Skip the Stirring. When assembling the pasta combination, be certain all the things is nicely blended within the baking dish.
- Broil with Care. Maintain a detailed eye on the dish whereas broiling to make certain the cheese melts completely with out burning.
- Relaxation Earlier than Serving. Let the dish relaxation for a couple of minutes after baking. This permits the sauce to thicken barely and the flavors to meld collectively.
Storage and Reheating
- Fridge:
- Retailer leftovers in an hermetic container within the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Enable the dish to chill earlier than transferring it to a container.
- Freezer:
- Cool the dish utterly, then switch it to a freezer-safe container or tightly wrap it in foil and plastic wrap.
- Freeze for as much as 3 months.
- Reheating:
- Oven: Reheat at 350 F (177 C) for 15-20 minutes or till warmed by. Cowl with foil to stop the cheese from over-browning.
- Microwave: Warmth particular person parts within the microwave in 1-minute increments till sizzling. Add a splash of rooster broth or coconut milk to maintain the pasta moist.
- Suggestions for Freezing and Reheating:
- Barely undercook the pasta earlier than freezing to stop it from changing into too delicate when reheated.
- Thaw frozen parts within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating within the oven.
Marinade:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice about 1 massive lemon or 2 small lemons
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Rooster Bake:
- 2 raw boneless, skinless rooster breasts Reduce in half lengthwise to create cutlets, then reduce every cutlet in half horizontally (8 items complete)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes chopped (if in oil, drained and patted dry) (Notice 1)
- 1 cup child spinach roughly chopped
- 1 cup rooster broth cut back by ¼ cup to account for rooster juices; see Notice 1
- 1 13.5 ounce can unsweetened full-fat coconut milk 13.5 ounces (or 1½ cups for much less) (Notice 2)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese or dairy-free different
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese or dairy-free different
- 1 to 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ¾ teaspoon salt alter to style
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon purple pepper flakes elective, for a bit of warmth (Notice 3)
- 8 ounces raw pasta comparable to penne or fusilli (Notice 4)
- Recent basil for garnish (elective)
Marinade:
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In a small bowl, whisk collectively olive oil, lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
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Place the rooster breast items in a resealable bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them.
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Seal the bag or cowl the dish, then refrigerate for at the very least half-hour (or as much as 4 hours for extra taste).
Rooster Bake:
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
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In a greased 9×13-inch baking dish or spherical baking dish, mix the raw pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, rooster broth, coconut milk, Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper, and purple pepper flakes (if utilizing). Stir all the things collectively till nicely blended.
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Take away the rooster from the marinade and organize the items on high of the pasta combination.If desired, for extra taste, you possibly can briefly sear the rooster breast items in a big skillet on medium-high warmth for 1-2 minutes per facet earlier than including them to the baking dish. This isn’t crucial although.Cowl the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or till the rooster reaches an inside temperature of 165°F and the pasta is tender. (See Notice 5 for checking doneness.)
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Take away the foil, sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly excessive, and return the dish to the oven.Broil uncovered on excessive for an extra 2-3 minutes, or till the cheese is melted and golden.Take away from the oven and let the dish cool barely. Garnish with contemporary basil if desired. Serve heat and revel in!
- If utilizing oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, pat them dry completely to keep away from extra oiliness within the dish.
- For a extra conventional taste, you possibly can substitute heavy cream for the coconut milk in equal portions. The bake might be equally creamy and scrumptious.
- When you desire a gentle dish, skip the purple pepper flakes. For a bit extra warmth, improve to ½ teaspoon.
- Select pasta shapes like penne or fusilli, which maintain up nicely throughout baking and take in the flavors of the sauce superbly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the rooster is cooked to 165°F. This prevents it from drying out. Checking it across the 35-minute mark is vital.
Energy: 387kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 21g | Fats: 18g | Saturated Fats: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 2g | Monounsaturated Fats: 9g | Trans Fats: 0.01g | Ldl cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 954mg | Potassium: 629mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 805IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 215mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 6 servings
Energy: 387kcal
