BAKED PENNE WITH CHICKEN MEATBALLS AND RICOTTA

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Baked Penne with Chicken Meatballs and Ricotta image

Italian chicken meatballs are combined with Muir Glen™ organic tomato basil sauce, spinach and pasta before being layered with dollops of a gooey, cheesy ricotta and baked until brown and bubbly.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h40m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

1/4 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs
3 tablespoons milk
1 egg, slightly beaten
3/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped Italian (flat-leaf) parsley
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 lb ground chicken
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 jar (25.5 oz) Muir Glen™ tomato basil pasta sauce
4 cups (5 oz) baby spinach
12 oz uncooked penne
1 container (15 oz) whole milk ricotta cheese
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 3-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  • In large bowl, mix bread crumbs and milk; let stand 5 minutes. Add egg, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, the parsley, 2 finely chopped cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper; stir to combine. Add chicken; gently combine. Shape into 32 (1 1/4-inch) meatballs.
  • In 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook meatballs in oil about 6 minutes, turning a few times to brown all sides. Add pasta sauce and spinach in batches; cook until sauce is hot and spinach is wilted, about 3 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, cook and drain penne as directed on package. Carefully add to pasta sauce and meatball mixture in skillet.
  • In medium bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, 1 finely chopped clove garlic, pepper flakes and remaining 1/4 teaspoons each salt and pepper.
  • In baking dish, pour half of the pasta mixture. Place half of the ricotta mixture in dollops over pasta. Spread remaining pasta mixture in baking dish; top with dollops of remaining ricotta. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over top. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until top is golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 560, Carbohydrate 51 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Fat 2, Fiber 4 g, Protein 34 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 860 mg, Sugar 8 g, TransFat 1/2 g

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