Healthy Baked Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

Craving something different? Indulge in the creamy and savory delight of baked chicken spaghetti, a comforting meal that’s perfectly cheesy and packed with veggies.

It’s always a smart (and sneaky) move to add extra veggies to your family dinner recipes. And this easy Baked Chicken Spaghetti does just that! Instead of traditional pasta, this version uses veggie noodles for a lighter, more nutritious twist. The best part? No one will notice, especially when everything’s covered in creamy, melted cheese. Even the picky eaters in our house were totally fooled!

This creamy, cheesy Baked Chicken Spaghetti is pure comfort food, wholesome, hearty, and absolutely delicious. It’s one of our favorite main dishes that also works perfectly as a pasta side dish. And the leftovers taste just as good the next day (if there are any!).

Quick to prep and packed with lean protein, whole grains, and plenty of vegetables, this healthy chicken spaghetti bake is an easy weeknight win that’s sure to become a family favorite.

What is a Pasta Bake?

A pasta bake is any type of pasta mixed with any type of sauce. And then all placed into a casserole dish to be baked. It’s typically mixed with a protein and/or vegetables and topped with cheese.

You can prep the dish in advance and bake it the day of serving. Thus, making it a quick and easy dinner option the whole family will love. They can be served as pasta side dishes or main pasta dishes.

Chicken spaghetti bakes are one of the most popular pasta bakes. They are also often referred to as chicken spaghetti casserole or chicken spaghetti baked. 

Ingredients and Tools Needed

• Veggie spaghetti noodles: We prefer using veggie spaghetti noodles or whole-grain spaghetti noodles for added health benefits. You can opt for any type of pasta. We used regular spaghetti pasta since it’s kid-friendly. But ziti, rotini, macaroni and other shapes will work! Just avoid angel hair pasta since it does not hold well to baking.
• Shredded cooked chicken: This is the perfect recipe to use your leftover rotisserie chicken or simply cut up some skinless chicken breasts for an even healthier option.
• Shredded cheeses: We go the gourmet route by using Stella 3-Cheese Italian Blend (of asiago, parmesan cheese and romano cheese). Shredded cheddar cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese are also great substitutes. 
• Low-sodium chicken broth
• Flour: To thicken the sauce
• Reduced-fat plain cream cheese — Or opt for a vegan brand. This one is actually our favorite. If you don’t care about going the healthy route, sub the cream cheese with heavy cream.
• Unsalted plant butter — Any butter also works fine.
• Chopped small onion
• Green bell pepper
• Diced tomatoes: For a saucier chicken casserole, sub with marinara sauce.
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Grated shredded cheese: For the topping
• Avocado oil cooking spray: Or olive oil

This chicken pasta bake recipe requires minimal tools! You’ll only need a casserole dish or baking dish, a large pot, and a large skillet! Nothing says easy quite like minimal dishes to clean afterwards.

How to Make Baked Chicken Spaghetti

1 — Preheat the oven:
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch casserole dish with avocado oil spray or your preferred nonstick spray.

2 — Cook the noodles:
Prepare the veggie spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.

3 — Sauté the veggies:
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and bell pepper and sauté for about 4–5 minutes, until soft and fragrant.

4 — Season and thicken:
Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and minced garlic, cooking for another minute. Then sprinkle in the flour and stir to combine. It’ll help thicken your sauce later.

5 — Add the broth.
Gradually pour in the chicken broth, whisking constantly to create a smooth sauce base.

6 — Melt in the cheeses:
Add the shredded cheeses and cream cheese, stirring until everything is fully melted and creamy. Remove the skillet from heat.

7 — Combine everything:
Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked veggie noodles, and shredded chicken. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated in the cheesy sauce.

8 — Assemble the casserole:
Pour the chicken spaghetti mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top, and finish with a dash of Italian seasoning or chopped parsley for color.

9 — Bake and serve:
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is melted, golden, and bubbly. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy, veggie-packed baked chicken spaghetti!

Recipe Notes and Tips

• Pack in the veggies: Don’t hold back on the vegetables! Add diced zucchini, halved cherry tomatoes, corn, spinach, red peppers, mushrooms, or even roasted carrots. The more colorful veggies you include, the healthier (and tastier) your baked chicken pasta will be. Just be sure to cook the vegetables until they’re tender before mixing them in.
• Adjust the sauce consistency: If you prefer a thicker, creamier cheese sauce, let it simmer a little longer to reduce. For a lighter version, we use chicken broth. But you can swap in marinara sauce or even a splash of milk for a different twist.
• Enhance the flavor: For a little extra kick, sprinkle in some red pepper flakes or add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to brighten up the flavors. Feel free to adjust the seasonings. This recipe is easy to customize to your taste.
• Get that golden top: If you love a bubbly, slightly crisp top, switch your oven to broil for the last 2–5 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye on it so it turns perfectly golden, not burnt.

How to Store Leftover Chicken Spaghetti

Keep leftovers sealed airtight in a covered container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

Reheat individual portions in the microwave at 1 minute or on the stovetop. You can also pop it right back in the oven to 350 degrees.

Feel free to freeze the chicken pasta bake in freezer-safe containers for up to 6 months. But be sure to defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating for easy warming.

How to Make Pasta Bake Ahead of Time

As mentioned, pasta bakes are great recipes to meal prep for since you can make it ahead of time.

First, follow the instructions on assembling the pasta bake. However, instead of putting it in the oven, cover the casserole with foil after it has cooled to room temperature.

Then, store it in the refrigerator until ready to bake. Because the dish has been refrigerated, you may need to increase the baking time by an additional 15 to 20 minutes. 

More Dinner Ideas

As with all classic pasta dishes, serve this easy spaghetti recipe with a side salad, large bowl of soup or toasted garlic bread knots! For more quick dinner recipes, check out a few of our favorites from the archives below —

• Low Carb Pizza
• Best Easy Meatloaf
• Easy Orange Chicken
• One Sheet Rosemary Baked Lemon Chicken
• Cacio e Pepe Pasta

This post is sponsored by Stella Cheeses. Thank you for supporting the brands we love! Love this recipe? Have questions or a review? Leave a comment below.

Don’t forget to share your baked chicken spaghetti with us on Instagram. We always love seeing all of your creations! For more quick and delicious recipes, find them all right here. 

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