Ground Chicken & Spinach Noodle Bake
This Ground Chicken & Spinach Noodle Bake has delicious layers of noodles, meat sauce, vegetables and cheese. It’s kind of like a lazy, but lazy-fancy lasagna.
Happy day my friends! It is wintery here. Cold and very snowy…and I love it. I really do. It’s the kind of cold where your face hurts, and you can hear the snow squeaking under your feet when you walk, but call me crazy I welcome it. It feels cozy and looks so pretty, and not only that, this kind of weather gives me the perfect excuse to stay inside and cook and bake. It makes me feel homey. This is the time when I bake big batches of chocolate chip cookies, and pots of homemade spaghetti sauce and chicken noodle soup.
Perfect for busy nights!
I also like to use this winter time to try making new casseroles because they are perfect for busy evenings. One dish, cheesy and hearty meals are my family’s favourite! Recently I made this Ground Chicken & Spinach Noodle Bake and it was delicious! It was hearty, comforting and so flavourful…a perfect winter dish.
Almost like a lazy lasagna.
Layers of noodles, meat sauce, vegetables and cheese. It’s kind of like a lazy, but lazy-fancy lasagna. Chock full of healthy ingredients like spinach, tomatoes, and ground chicken…and made super delicious with the addition of bacon. Oh my.
The addition of ricotta cheese makes this casserole creamy and extra cheesy. Yummmmm
Recipe Tips:
- You can make this pasta dish even easier by using a jar of prepared spaghetti sauce, or you can make your own sauce too. This is a really flexible recipe.
- Want to add more nutrition? Saute some carrots and zucchini to add to the sauce.
- Can’t eat wheat? Use gluten free noodles.
- You can even use ground beef if you prefer it over ground turkey or chicken.
- Make this dish your own! Oh, and did I mention that it is ready in 1 hour too? Even better.
Ground Chicken & Spinach Noodle Bake
This Ground Chicken & Spinach Noodle Bake has delicious layers of noodles, meat sauce, vegetables and cheese. It’s kind of like a lazy, but lazy-fancy lasagna.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked noodles (I used fusilli)
- 6 slices cooked bacon (crumbled)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves of garlic (minced)
- 1 cup mushrooms (chopped)
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1 lb ground chicken (or turkey)
- 1 tsp dried chili flakes
- salt & fresh ground pepper
- 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 jar prepared spaghetti sauce (or 2 – 3 cups homemade tomato sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook your noodles according to package directions. Set aside.
- In a skillet warm the 1 tbsp olive oil, then add the onions, garlic and mushrooms and saute until soft.
- Stir in the fresh spinach, then transfer the mixture to a mixing bowl and set aside.
- In the same skillet you used to cook onion mixture, cook the ground chicken with the chili flakes and salt & pepper.
- Add the cooked chicken mixture to the spinach mix.
- Stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon, ricotta cheese and parmesan cheese.
Time to put it all together:
- In a large baking dish (9×13) spread half of the chicken/cheese mixture onto the bottom of the dish.
- Layer on half of the noodles.
- Spread on half of the pasta sauce.
- Add the remaining chicken mixture.
- Add the remaining noodles.
- Add the remaining sauce.
- Sprinkle on the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 35 – 40 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Keywords: chicken noodle bake, noodle bake
PIN IT to make later!
Have a delicious day!
Question, did they use Lasagna noodles in the picture or ?
Hi Lorrie! No, I just used a generic noodle – I think they’re called fusilli. But you can use any type of noodle that you like!
That does look just like lasagna, and so yummy, too! Those are some huge fusilli noodles – what brand are they, Jo-Anna?
I just used Unico I think? Not sure. But you can use any type of noodle that you like! Enjoy!
I made this and it was very good. Thanks for the recipe!
Made this tonight for some relatives and it was a hit! Left out the mushrooms only because I wasn’t sure who liked or didn’t like them. Found the overall flavor very good. Used Rotini noodles which worked well. Might add some more spices next time as I like things with a bit more kick.
Super easy and turned out great! I used red lentil penne.
★★★★★
Yum! Great idea using lentil penne!
Can’t wait to make this, can you freeze left overs?
★★★★★
Hi Liz! Absolutely you can freeze the leftovers!