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Easy Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake photo

Fiesta Chicken Pasta Bake

A cheesy, crowd-pleasing baked pasta with chicken, salsa, corn, and beans ready in under an hour.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces fusili pasta uncooked (or other pasta shape)
  • 1 cup thick and chunky salsa
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon taco seasoning
  • 1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn drained
  • 1 (15 ounce) can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken rotisserie chicken works well
  • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese divided (or use all Cheddar)
  • cilantro or sliced green onions optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Colander
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • 9x13 Baking Dish
  • Aluminum Foil
  • Spatula or spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Cook the fusili pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package instructions; drain and allow to cool slightly (will yield about 4 cups cooked pasta).
  3. In a large bowl, stir together the salsa, sour cream, and taco seasoning until combined.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the salsa mixture and toss to coat evenly.
  5. Stir in the drained corn, drained and rinsed black beans, shredded chicken, and 1 cup of the shredded cheese until evenly distributed.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese evenly over the top.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5–10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Garnish with cilantro or sliced green onions if desired and serve warm.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
  • Any medium pasta shape can be substituted for fusili.
  • For extra heat, add a dash of hot sauce to the salsa mixture.
  • Drain canned ingredients well to avoid a watery bake.