Chicken Pasta Bake with Mozzarella

The whole family will love this simple to prepare dish. If you wish you could spice it up by adding a chilli.

📝 Ingredients

• 4 skinless chicken fillets, chopped into 2cm pieces
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
• 250mls stock or water
• 2 tbsp. tomato purée
• 2 tbsp. Crème fraîche
• Pinch of sugar
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh basil, plus leaves to garnish
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 300 g pasta –penne, macaroni , tagliatelle or linguini
• 125 g mozzarella cheese, chopped

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Heat a little oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about for 5 minutes until just softened.
2. 2Turn up the heat, add a little more oil and then add the chicken. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned all over.
3. 3Stir in the chopped tomatoes, water, tomato purée, crème fraîche, sugar and basil. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper and simmer gently, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
4. 4Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
5. 5Preheat the grill to high. Drain the pasta and stir into the chicken and tomato sauce.
6. 6Transfer to a shallow heatproof dish and sprinkle over the chopped mozzarella.
7. 7Place under the grill until the cheese is golden and bubbling – this should take about 5 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with a baby kale salad.