Chicken Burrito Pasta Bake (Print Version)

Hearty Tex-Mex pasta bake with chicken, beans, and melted cheese

# What You'll 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
05 - 1 small red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1 small onion, finely chopped

→ Sauce

07 - 2 cups tomato salsa
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

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Add cooked chicken, black beans, corn, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Stir well and cook for 2 minutes to blend flavors.
05 - Pour in salsa and sour cream. Stir until fully combined and creamy. Remove from heat.
06 - Transfer cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add chicken and bean mixture along with 1 cup cheddar cheese and 1/4 cup Monterey Jack. Toss until evenly coated.
07 - Spread pasta mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.
09 - Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges if desired.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • Everything you love about burritos happens to be even better when baked with pasta
  • The leftovers somehow taste even more incredible the next day
02 -
  • Do not overcook the pasta initially or your final dish will be disappointingly mushy
  • The rest period is crucial—cutting into it immediately makes the sauce runny everywhere
03 -
  • Use freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded bags for better melting
  • Taste your salsa before adding salt—some brands are already heavily seasoned
Go Back