Name: Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake
Total time: 30 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: Italian, Europe
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided; 1 small onion, chopped fine; 4 garlic cloves, minced, divided; 12 ounces (3¾ cups) penne; 1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes; 3 cups water; 2 teaspoons table salt, divided; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs; 1 (2½-pound) rotisserie chicken, skin and bones discarded, meat shredded into bite-size pieces (3 cups); 8 ounces whole-milk mozzarella cheese, shredded (2 cups)

Why This Recipe Works

We love the convenience factor of a supermarket rotisserie chicken, especially when it comes to planning weeknight meals. With that in mind, we developed this recipe, a unique mash-up of baked ziti and breaded chicken cutlets that takes just 30 minutes to prepare. After removing the meat from the chicken,
making a quick tomato sauce, and boiling the pasta, all that was left to do was combine all the ingredients in the Dutch oven we used to boil the pasta. Roasting the panko bread crumbs for the topping in the microwave added crunch without the risk of burning them under the broiler. For a complete meal, serve with a green salad.

Before You Begin

Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil before serving.

Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add onion and three-quarters of garlic and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add pasta, tomatoes, water, 1¾ teaspoons salt, and pepper flakes and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium; cover; and simmer until pasta is tender, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Meanwhile, combine panko, remaining 1 tablespoon oil, remaining garlic, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in bowl. Microwave until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally; set aside.

Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat broiler. Stir chicken into pasta and sprinkle mozzarella over top. Broil until mozzarella is melted and spotty brown, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle with reserved panko mixture. Serve.