Chicken Burrito Pasta Bake (Printer-friendly)

Hearty Tex-Mex pasta loaded 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
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. Add onion and bell pepper, sauté 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 to combine and cook for 2 minutes.
05 - Pour in salsa and sour cream. Stir until fully incorporated and heated through. Remove from heat.
06 - Transfer cooked pasta to a large bowl. Add chicken and bean mixture along with 1 cup cheddar and 1/4 cup Monterey Jack. Toss until evenly combined.
07 - Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and edges are bubbling. If desired, broil for 2-3 minutes for a golden top.
09 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, and lime wedges if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Its the ultimate weeknight crossover that turns taco night flavors into something you can eat with a spoon on the couch
  • The cheese gets those perfectly browned bubbling spots that make everyone fight for the corner pieces
02 -
  • Do not skip the resting time - I learned this the hard way when I served it immediately and everyone got a molten lava first bite
  • Sour cream can look curdled if you add it to a hot pan - remove the skillet from heat first and stir gently
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded bags - the anti-caking coating prevents proper melting
  • Use spicy salsa if you want more heat without adding extra spices that might taste powdered
Go Back