So easy and so satisfying, chicken and leek pasta bake is one of those classic comfort foods that’ll please all the family. This one never goes out of fashion.
Perfect to warm your soul in the colder months, this recipe is not your average pasta bake. It’s packed full of flavour, with a few cooking tricks to make your taste buds tingle.
So, you want to know how to make this quick and easy pasta recipe? Read on!
Products you need for this recipe
- Saucepan – the first thing you’ll do is make your sauces
- Frying pan – a quality non-stick frying pan is a must for this recipe
- Baking dish – a decent sized baking dish is essential for the last part of this chicken and leek pasta bake recipe
- Large mixing bowl – you’ll need a large bowl to mix together the chicken, pasta, leeks and sauce, before placing in your baking dish
- Mixing spoon – a quality mixing spoon is an essential kitchen item for any cook
- Whisk – you’ll need to whisk together the milk, flour and butter to cook the bechamel sauce
- Plain flour – get some good quality plain flour. It’s the base for your pasta bake sauce, so go for the best you can find
- Macaroni – for me, macaroni is the best kind of pasta for a chicken and leek pasta bake
- White wine - the wine adds a nice touch to the pasta casserole, lightening it up a bit in a good way
- Panko bread crumbs – breadcrumbs are the perfect way to add a little bit of crunch to the top of your chicken and leek pasta bake. Go for panko crumbs, for that extra special taste and texture
- Parmesan – if you can’t get grated, get yourself a parmesan grater. When topped with a sprinkle of parmesan, this dish will be extra delicious
Chicken and leek pasta bake recipe
If you’re looking for a simple, sumptuous supper with hardly any prep time, this is the one for you.
The total cook time is 1 hour and it’s so easy! First you make your sauce by softening the leeks in butter then simmering it with wine, stock and cream.
While you're cooking the leeks, you need to cook the pasta in boiling salted water. When the pasta is cooked and the sauce ready, tip in the pasta and chicken, give it all a good mix, then spoon into a baking dish.
The final flourish is a sprinkle of breadcrumbs and cheese, for a golden brown crunch. Cook in the oven for 30 minutes at 200°C/fan 180°C/400°F/gas 6. Cooking doesn’t get much simpler!
What’s the best cheese to use in a pasta bake?
To bring an extra richness to this dish, you’ll need a cheese that’s full of flavour. It’s also very important that you use a cheese that melts well.
You could use cheddar cheese, especially an extra mature type. Godminster Cheddar and Snowdonia Little Black Bomber are both intense, beautifully flavoured cheddars.
For me though, it’s parmesan all the way. The deep, fruitlike, nutty flavour is tailor-made for this dish, as the flavours sit in harmony with the chicken, leek and pasta. Get authentic Parmigiano Reggiano – you won’t be disappointed.
Do you add cooked chicken to a pasta bake?
Yes, this recipe calls for the chicken to be cooked beforehand. To cook, dice 500g of skinless chicken breasts into bitesize pieces. Then, add a tablespoon of olive oil to a frying pan and fry the diced chicken breasts on a medium heat for 12-15 minutes, until lightly brown on the outside.
When it’s cooked, add the chicken to a mixing bowl with the sauce, as well as the cooked leeks and cooked pasta.
What other ingredients can I use in this recipe?
This recipe already tastes absolutely fantastic. Still, it’s very flexible and there’s a lot you can add that can elevate the taste even further.
A few drops of Worcestershire sauce is one way to get a whole lot more flavour. If you haven’t got any of this magical ingredient, there are plenty of alternatives to Worcestershire sauce.
You could also add a teaspoon or two of mustard, which really works well with the flavours in this recipe – especially the chicken, the leek and the cheese.
The addition of ham or bacon also works beautifully.
What do you serve with chicken and leek pasta?
The best thing to serve with this dish is a healthy, crisp green salad. The crisp freshness makes for a good balance for the big, hearty creaminess of the chicken and leek pasta.
Here are a few greedy gourmet favourites, to give you a little inspiration:
Mediterranean salad – made with traditional ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil, red onion, feta cheese, black olives and cucumber, this is one easy to make, utterly amazing salad!
Rocket salad with avocado, blue cheese and pecans – this peppery, nutty salad has a whole load of flavour and would be the perfect complement to this chicken and leek pasta bake
Pear and rocket salad – the pear brings a little fruity element, working perfectly with the leek, and the rocket adds a peppery freshness
Competition Question: What is your favourite pasta bake?
Print📖 Recipe
Chicken and Leek Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 6
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Chicken and Leek Pasta Bake is a quick and easy family dinner with a lot of flair, thanks to the white wine and cream. Serve with crispy, green salad.
Ingredients
- 300g (10 ½ oz) macaroni
- 30g (2 tbsp) butter
- 2 leeks, cleaned and sliced
- 250ml (1 cup) white wine
- 250ml (1 cup) chicken stock
- 250ml (1 cup) single cream
- 500g (1lb 2oz) cooked chicken, skinned and cut into bite-size pieces
- 40g (1 ½oz) panko
- 40g (1 ½ oz) Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / fan 160°C / 355°F / gas mark 4.
- Cook macaroni in boiling salted water according to packet instructions, then drain.
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large frying pan.
- Gently cook the leeks over a medium heat until softened, which would take about 5 minutes.
- Turn up the heat and pour in the wine. Let it sizzle until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Pour in the stock, stir and let it bubble for 5 minutes.
- Pour in the cream, stir and let it bubble for another 5 minutes.
- Tip in the chicken and pasta and stir until everything is covered with sauce.
- Spoon the mixture into a shallow ovenproof dish. Mix together breadcrumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and crusty on top.
- Serve with a green salad and a glass of white wine. Enjoy!
Notes
- The 2 leeks I used weighed around 600g (1½lbs).
- Use any type of pasta you have available or that you fancy.
- Experiment with or vary the chicken, pasta, leek and sauce ratios. It is very difficult not to get a delicious result!
- Struggling to get hold of any leeks? Try one of these leek substitutes.
- If you find that you have a lot of chicken left after making this recipe, why not try my scrumptious Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe?
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: A big heap
- Calories: 492
- Sugar: 5.3 g
- Sodium: 293.9 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 50.8 g
- Fiber: 2.4 g
- Protein: 31.5 g
- Cholesterol: 91.8 mg
Lisa MITCHELL says
sounds amazing x
Carol Cliffe says
I've always gone for a tuna pasta bake but this one looks delicious
Joyce W says
Tuna pasta bake is one of our favourites when we are having a meat free day
Andrew Collier says
Veggie Pasta Bake
Heli L says
My whole family loves a creamy tomato & chicken pasta bake. Yummy!
Kay Broomfield says
I love a cheese and tomato pasta bake with basil.
Bethie Farquharson says
In the past I would have said a macaroni cottage cheese was my favourite pasta bake but this one has won me over!
Emma England says
My favourite go to recipe would be a lasagna but the chicken and leek bake sounds amazing. Definitely going to give it a go.
Rachel b says
Love a chicken and chorizo pasta bake
Lyndsey Welch says
This looks lovely
Janine H says
Pancetta and mushroom cheesy bake
Amanda Botterill says
I love Chicken and Chorizo pasta bake
Kallie Maile says
Tuna pasta bake
laura nice says
I don't think you can beat a home made lasagna!
Nil Brit says
I like chicken and tuna pasta bake.
CAROL PATRICK says
My favourite pasta bake is chicken and leek.
sharon martin says
chicken & bacon
Sheena Read says
Tuna Pasta Bake
Stef Acaster says
I love pasta bakes and one of my favourites is with chicken and chorizo
Kellie Collister says
I do one with chicken, peppers and feta
Amanda S says
Tuna, olive and sundried tomato
Faridah Brooker says
My fave is good old macaroni cheese (I can't stand the phrase mac n cheese). I've eaten it since childhood and still love it.
A.E. ADKINS says
Macaroni cheese with or without leeks and/or lardons!
Deborah Preston says
Chicken, bacon and broccoli pasta bake is tasty
Gemma Linney says
I love lots of veggies (whatever I’ve got to use up but I always have red onion and peppers as a base), with some balsamic vinegar and ricotta. It’s delicious!
Gemma Massey says
I love chicken pasta beak with pasta, peppers and onions and lots of cheese on the top
Jeanette Leighton says
Ooooopps didn't rate recipe .... looks delicious I love tuna and cheese pasta bakes best
Jeanette Leighton says
Definitely a tuna and cheese pasta bake
Peter Nickson says
Chicken and broccoli bake
Julie Camm says
I love chicken with peppers in a pasta bake
Jennifer Toal says
Cheese and bacon
Amanda Gregory says
This isn't going to be a popular answer but I don't like pasta. When I do cook pasta bakes for the family I usually do a creamy tuna pasta bake.
Eva Trelfa-Milek says
I really like chicken and bacon pasta bake
jules S eley says
Vegetable pasta bake is my favourite!
Megan says
My favourite is a vegan pasta bake.
Carolynn Woodland says
Chicken with mustard and leeks
Stephanie says
Sweet corn and pasta bake
Sarah Mcknight says
Tuna pasta bake is my favorite.
Leslie Evans says
Tuna Pasta Bake
sue cornish says
pesto salmon bake
Emma Davison says
Cheese and tomato with pieces of slices tomato, pepperoni and mozzarella on top
Jenny Barker says
its a take on Tartiflette with pasta added any that i have in the house
Mandy Betts says
Tuna pasta bake. I used to crunch up ready salted crisps to go with the cheese on top. Delicious!
Debra Walker says
Chicken & Cheese
Fiona Foskett says
Tuna Pasta Bake with added broccoli
Gemma Holland says
Hot smoked salmon
Ellen Stafford says
I love cheese and broccoli
Charlotte F says
Chicken and chorizo is my favourite, with lots of cheese!
Sheri Darby says
I love a ratatouille style pasta bake
Laura Pritchard says
Tuna pasta bake with sweetcorn
Amy Bondoc says
I love chicken and leak pasta bake
SUSAN L HALL says
I love a lighter sauce mix and one with an egg yolk olive oil and lemon with fresh basil hits the spot for me over spaghetti or tagliatelle
Cara says
Spicy chorizo pasta bake
JAMES HOLYLAND says
The classic tuna pasta bake !
Keith Hunt says
Tuna & broccoli pasta bake
Christine Hobbs says
I love salmon in a pasta bake. Garlic asparagus with a cream mustard sauce
Jeanette Swift says
I like a cheese and bacon pasta bake, quick easy but tasty
Cindy Gillespie says
Salmon spaghetti is our favourite. Simple - just salmon, spaghetti, garlic and parmesan with loads of pepper
Sammi McSporran says
Tuna pasta bake is definitely my favourite!
Claire Driver says
Hopefully Mac and cheese counts yummy
Anne Plumb says
Tuna (and sweetcorn) pasta bake
joanne coulson says
My family love my spicy chicken pasta bake
Laura Green says
sausage pasta bake!
Teresa Adams says
Homemade Lasagne is my family’s favourite. I like the look of the chicken and leek pasta bake so will give that a try one night
Emily walker says
We love Tuna Arrabiata
P Baver says
I like lasagna best .
Patricia Barrett says
Pesto salmon pasta bake
James Travis says
I like Tuna Pasta Bake
Robyn Clarke says
My husband does a macaroni bake but he includes mince, its delicious.
Margaret Mccaffery says
My favourite is a Tuna pasta bake.
Mark Mccaffery says
Chicken and Chorizo pasta bake.
Rebecca Walker says
tuna pasta bake
Angie Jackson says
love mac and cheese with a crispy crumb topping, delicious!
Tony says
Love a tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake
Fay Burman says
My favourite pasta bake is made with tomato and soya mince, and lots of sheese on top! I also like making tuna pasta bake for my dad 🙂
Jess McGuire says
Cheese is my favourite!
Sophie Marie Cartwright says
The more cheese the better! I also love putting bacon into my pasta dishes, and sausages!
Amy Jo says
I love a tomato, spinach, chicken and cheese pasta bake!
Lewis clark says
Creamy Garlic chicken pasta bake
bet ferguson says
our family enjoy cheesy pasta bakes with garlic bread and green salad
Kelly Roxanne Smith says
I love tuna pasta bake x
Anthea Holloway says
I love homemade Lasagna and so does my family!
Janet Robertson says
Pasta with cheese and ham sause topped with grated cheese
Lucy says
My favourite is tuna pasta bake - simple and easy but nice!
Carole Nott says
The chicken pasta bake looks delicious. This is one of my favourites
Alison Rees says
A tuna pasta bake is my favourite
Caroline Tinsley says
I make one with wholewheat fusilli, roasted Mediterranean veg and chick peas, topped with white sauce and cheese. I make enough to eat the leftovers for lunch the next day 😋
Dale Dow says
Creamy tomato and bacon
Rebecca King says
I love chicken and broccoli pasta 😋
Noelie says
I love tuna pasta bake and lasagna 🙂
Noelie says
I love tuna pasta bake
Helen Arlow says
I love tuna pasta bake... The cherries the better x
Helen Arlow says
*cheesier*
Chelsey Hollings says
We love spicy Chicken and Chorizo pasta bake
Valerie Seal says
Vegetarian for me - with lots of aubergines and onions.
Michelle Smith says
I love tuna and sweet corn pasta bake
Michelle Smith says
I love tuna and sweet corn pasta bake
Mr Mark Adamson says
I used to make pasta bakes all the time at university but haven’t for years and years. I’m not going to try this tomorrow
Samantha M says
I made one recently with broccoli, leak and cherry tomatoes which was delicious.
Iris says
I love all sorts of pasta bakes but one of my favorites is creamy tomato and bacon
Rennene Hartland says
Chicken and mushroom pasta bake
Maria says
I love pasta bake with bacon
Adrian Bold says
I like a good tuna pasta bake.
Kim Carberry says
We love sausage, tomato and pasta bake x
Robin Horn says
I love one dish dinners! Ty!
lynn neal says
Mushroom and spinach pasta bake is my favourite!
Darren Bourne says
We love Tuna Pasta Bake. The kids often ask for it but we also love a chicken one.
pete c says
Home-Made Lasagna with lean beef would be my favourite
Kim M says
I like Cannelloni x
Carolyn E says
Salmon and leek in a creamy cheesy sauce. Not too different from this recipe actually !
Kate Sutton says
I really like tuna pasta bake
Carly Belsey says
I love a cheese and broccoli pasta bake. This recipe looks delicious.
Marie Rungapadiachy says
I love a pasta bake with steak, mushroom, tomato sauce and with a cheese topping.
Laura Wheatley says
I love a nice tomato and marscapone pasta bake
claire woods says
I love cheesy pasta bake
Tina Lawton says
You can't go wrong with a simple tuna and sweetcorn pasta bake.
Karen R says
My favourite is one that my daughter bakes - it's very simple, but she can cook it without any input from me, so I get a night off 🙂
Phil Read says
Always loved leeks so chicken and leek w
Rena Plumridge says
Tuna pasta bake
Tammy Tudor says
Tuna and cheese pasta bake is my favourite, but this recipe looks really yummy
Sheena Batey says
Tuna Pasta Bake
Daniel Stacey says
Chicken And Leek Pasta Bake
Angela Kelly says
I love a chicken pasta bake made with chicken soup and tons of cheese on top.
Helen Markham says
Oooh my favourite pasta bake is spinach and ricotta yum! This recipe is so delicious too
melanie stirling says
I love Quorn ragu pasta bake topped with cheddar cheese.
Chloe F says
chicken and bacon
Hannah Lord says
I love a freshly baked lasagna
Susan B says
I probably cook tomato and courgette more often than any other variety.
Margaret Clarkson says
I like penne with cheese and bacon or penne with cheese and sweetcorn.
Stella H says
My favourite is tuna pasta bake
Moth says
Tuna with cheesy crumb top
cat says
I adore my vegetarian lasagne, layers of spinach butternut squash and ricotta
Joo Dee says
tbh never tried one, yet!! but some great ideas here
Annabel Greaves says
I love a cheese pasta bake
Jan says
Tuna pasta bake but this one looks good
Amandeep Sibia says
Anything with a bit of spicy chicken.
Julie Kenny says
Chicken And Leek Pasta Bake is lovely a firm family favourite here x Will be trying your recipe in the new year x
Charlotte isobelle says
Mmm sounds delicious, I might try this one!
Ruth Harwood says
A good carbonara pasta bake, or simple cheese pasta bake are so tasty!!
Lorraine Williams says
We do a chicken, bacon, leek and mushroom pasta bake which is delicious. Perfect with a slice of garlic bread.
Emma Wolski says
My favourite currently is spinach and ricotta filled pasta with pesto sauce, prawns, chorizo, mushrooms and peppers!
Alice Dixon says
Creamy ham and pea
Alice Gilkes says
I love chicken and leak pasta bakes.
ruth robinson says
i really enjoy a tuna pasta bake with either cheese on top or a cheesey crumb i add veg into it to make it even healthier
Iain maciver says
tuna pasta bake
Sam says
i love a cheesy pasta bake
Sharon Arnott says
My favourite is tuna pasta bake
Margaret Gallagher says
Tuna pasta bake is a family favourite
thecatwhisper says
cheese, bacon and pasta for me
Jo m welsh says
As a family we love tuna and sweet corn and red pepper .
Sahara Rahad says
thank you for sharing
Naziah Mashni says
Excellent! I adore pasta bakes
Jouliage Cream Review says
I don't usually comment but I gotta say thanks for the post on this one :D.
michelle says
🙂 🙂 ur welcome
Renil M. George says
What great recipes and photography! Thanks for sharing them and I look forward to reading more.
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker says
I ADORE leeks and we currently have some growing in our veggie garden, will be giving this recipe a whirl for sure! It sounds deeeeelish and oh so easy!
TheWoman says
What a great upgrade for tired old mac & cheese. Will be bookmarking this one - TheHusband is a big chicken fan!
Pragya says
Wow! Wow! Wow! I have to get off my diet for this one! Thanks for the great recipe as always.
The Duo Dishes says
It's easy to makeover a dish in a flash. Or make up one, rather, when half of the meal's already prepared. Lovely!