Cavatapi with Chicken Ragu, Mozzarella and Basil

May 09, 2023May 9, 20230 1

Cavatapi with Chicken Ragu, Mozzarella and Basil recipe for a comforting dinner

by The Chefin Pasta

Prep

10 min

Cook

20 min

Ready In

30 min

Level

Easy

Rating

Ingredients

	8 ounces cavatapi or penne pasta , uncooked
	2 teaspoons olive oil
	1/2 cup minced onion
	2 cloves garlic , minced
	1 pound ground chicken
	1 jar spicy red pepper pasta sauce
	1/2 cup chopped fresh basil or Italian parsley

Nutrision Information

Servings Per Recipe

Calories

394

Sugar

Fat

11g

Cavatapi with Chicken Ragu, Mozzarella and Basil is an Italian-inspired pasta dish that comes together in less than 30 minutes. The combination of pasta, chicken ragu, and melted mozzarella cheese makes for a comforting dinner that will satisfy all members of the family. The flavors of the spicy red pepper pasta sauce and fresh basil or parsley make this dish so tasty. To make the chicken ragu more flavorful, you can add mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, or olives. This pasta dish is perfect to warm up on a chilly day or to enjoy it with a glass of your favorite wine.

Instructions

1.	Cook pasta according to package instructions and set aside.
2.	Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
3.	Add onion and garlic; sauté for 3-4 minutes or until tender.
4.	Add chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes or until no longer pink. Stir occasionally.
5.	Pour in pasta sauce and bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and let it cook for 8-9 minutes.
6.	Add in the chopped basil or Italian parsley and stir well.
7.	Add cooked pasta and toss to combine.
8.	Top with mozzarella cheese and let it cook for another 2 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

PROS

This pasta dish is a crowd-pleaser, easy to prepare and can be served as a comforting dinner.

The combination of chicken ragu, mozzarella cheese, and fresh herbs elevates the flavor of this pasta dish.

CONS

This recipe uses jar pasta sauce which may contain preservatives or high levels of sodium.

Additionally, the use of ground chicken might be too lean which makes the chicken ragu less juicy.

It’s important to carefully assess the ingredients and choose a healthier pasta sauce brand and add some olive oil or chicken broth to keep the chicken ragu flavorful.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

This pasta dish provides a good source of protein and carbohydrates, which are essential for energy and muscle-building.
The fresh basil or parsley used in this recipe is also rich in antioxidants and vitamins which may help to boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.