Chicken Burrito Pasta Bake (Printable)

Hearty Tex-Mex pasta bake with chicken, beans, salsa and melted cheese. Ready in 45 minutes.

# 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 (fresh, frozen, or canned)
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Sauce

07 - 2 cups tomato salsa (mild or spicy)
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 (optional)

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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened.
04 - Add cooked 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 - In a large bowl, mix cooked pasta with the chicken and bean mixture. Add 1 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, stirring to combine.
07 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over the 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 if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the perfect marriage of two comfort foods that somehow taste even better together than apart
  • You can get it from raw ingredients to bubbling perfection in under an hour
02 -
  • Dont skip the 5 minute resting period after baking, or the cheese will slide right off when you cut it
  • Undercook your pasta by at least 2 minutes, because it will absorb liquid and soften in the oven
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese from blocks instead of buying pre shredded bags, which contain anti caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • If the sauce seems too thick after baking, stir in a splash of warm chicken broth or water before serving
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