Chicken Burrito Pasta Bake (Printable)

Hearty Tex-Mex pasta dish with chicken, beans, and cheesy goodness bubbling from the oven.

# 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

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or oil.
02 - Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat 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 - Pour in salsa and sour cream. Stir until fully combined and remove from heat.
06 - Combine cooked pasta with chicken mixture in a large bowl. Add 1 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup Monterey Jack, mixing well.
07 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and top with remaining cheese.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with lightly browned edges.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro, jalapeños, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Its the ultimate weeknight warrior that comes together in under 45 minutes
  • The combination of pasta and Tex-Mex flavors somehow feels completely logical once you take that first bite
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta by a couple of minutes or it will become mushy after baking
  • The sour cream might look curdled when you first stir it in but it smooths out beautifully in the oven
03 -
  • Mix some cheese into the pasta itself, not just on top, for those irresistible cheesy pull-apart moments
  • Broil for the last 2 minutes if you want extra crispy cheese edges that everyone will fight over
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