Chicken Taco Pasta Bake
Thereโs something really great about a meal that’s filling, creamy, and cheesy and this chicken taco pasta bake is exactly that. The best part? Itโs super easy to make, ready in 30 minutes, and I can customize it by throwing in extras like black beans, corn, or jalapeรฑos. This dish has quickly become a favorite pasta dinner recipe.

Chicken Taco Pasta Bake
Equipment
- Large pot
- Dutch oven or large saucepan
- Whisk
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- 9×13-inch casserole dish
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Cheese grater
- Non-stick cooking spray or butter
Ingredients
- 16 ounces rotini pasta (cooked and drained according to package instructions)
- 1ยฝ pounds chicken breast (cooked and shredded)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons taco seasoning (mild, medium, or spicy)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 4 ounce can green chiles
- ยฝ cup salsa or pico de gallo
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups pepper jack cheese (shredded)
- 2 cups colby jack cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (plus more for garnish)
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Instructions
- Preheat the oven.ย ย Preheat the oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Then, grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray or butter.
- Prepare the sauce.ย ย Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven (4-quart or larger) over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to avoid burning. Then, slowly pour the chicken stock, whisking it to combine and prevent lumps. Continue to cook over medium heat until the sauce thickens, stirring frequently.
- Add the seasoning and cheese.ย ย Stir in the taco seasoning, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, green chilies, and salsa. Then, heat the mixture until it starts to bubble, stirring occasionally. Next, add the heavy cream, bring it back to a simmer, and reduce the heat to low. Stir in 2 cups of Pepper Jack cheese and 1 cup of Colby Jack cheese. Continue stirring until all the cheese is melted and smooth.
- Combine the pasta and chicken.ย ย Remove the sauce from the heat. Stir in the cooked rotini pasta, shredded chicken, and fresh cilantro. Mix well until everything is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Bake the casserole.ย ย Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Colby Jack cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling.
- Let it rest and serve.ย ย Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for about 5 minutes before serving. You can also top with additional salsa and cilantro for garnish if you want.
Notes
If Iโm craving a warm, cheesy dish with a kick, my go-to is the Chicken Taco Pasta Bake. Itโs made with tender chicken, tasty spices, and lots of melted cheese, making it a comforting meal perfect for a busy evening or when Iโm having friends over. Itโs quick and easy, and I usually have everything I need to make it in my kitchen.
The best part? I can throw in whatever toppings I like, such as salsa, jalapeรฑos, or black beans, making it an excellent way to use leftover chicken or any cheese in the fridge. Trust me, it quickly becomes a favorite in my household, always leaving everyone asking for seconds! If youโre a smoky, savory pasta dish fan, youโll also love this Smoky Pasta Sauce with Bacon. Itโs packed with bold flavors and is perfect for pasta night!

I hope it becomes a favorite for you, too.
Key Ingredients and Tools
Before you start on your dish, here are some things youโll need. They all play an important part in making your pasta bake tasty and simple.
- Pepper Jack cheese. It gives the pasta a bit of a spicy kick that goes well with the taco flavors. If spice isnโt your thing, use Monterey Jack or cheddar, and add a bit of red pepper flakes for some spiciness.
- Taco seasoning. It can be bought from the store or made at home. If youโre out, you can mix some spices you likely have at home (like chili powder, cumin, paprika, and garlic powder) to make your own.
- Rotini pasta. Itโs great for this dish because its spirals catch the sauce, making every forkful delicious. If you donโt have it, other small pasta like penne or farfalle are fine too.
- Green chilies: They are mild and add a nice warmth without making the dish too hot. Theyโre usually in the Hispanic foods section. If you like more heat, try using diced jalapeรฑos or even a gentle salsa verde as alternatives.
- A Dutch oven: Itโs the best pot for cooking the sauce because it heats evenly and prevents burning. If you don’t have one, any big pot will do.
These are the key things you’ll want for making a flavorful and easy dish.

Troubleshooting and Help
Sure! Any short pasta like penne, bowtie, or even elbow macaroni works just fine. Just make sure to undercook it slightly since it will continue to cook in the oven.
Swap the chicken for black beans or roasted veggies like bell peppers or zucchini to make it vegetarian. Youโll still get all the delicious flavors of the dish!
Definitely! Leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken works perfectly for this recipe. Just shred it and stir it into the sauce with the pasta.
Yes! Swap out the regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free pasta, and use a gluten-free all-purpose flour to thicken the sauce. Make sure the taco seasoning is gluten-free as well.
You can substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or milk for a less rich sauce to lighten things up. You can also use reduced-fat cheese, though the texture may be slightly less creamy.
No problem! Use mild taco seasoning and substitute Pepper Jack cheese with Monterey Jack or cheddar. Also, you can skip the green chilies or swap them for a mild salsa to tone down the spice.
Absolutely! You can assemble the dish to the baking step, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When youโre ready to bake, just pop it in the oven, and you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the bake time to make sure itโs heated through.
This dish is an easy and comforting dish for busy evenings or relaxed get-togethers. Itโs easy to make, probably with things you already have in your kitchen, and you can add extras like black beans, corn, or jalapeรฑos to suit your taste. Whether youโre cooking for your family or having friends over for dinner, itโs a hit.


By Katie Shaw
Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.