Baked Pastina Casserole

Unfortunately I only took one photo and it happens to be really blurry, however, the pasta dish courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis is a really tasty one. It is from her Everyday Pasta cookbook. I love all her pasta dishes and this one can't be easier.


1 C pastina or any small pasta (I used shells)
2 T olive oil
1/2 C cubed chicken breast (1-inch cubes)
1/2 C diced onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 14.5oz can of diced tomatoes, with juice
1 C shredded mozzarella
1/4 C chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 C bread crumbs
1/4 C Parmesan cheese
1 T butter, cut in small pieces

Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta, just until tender. Drain and transfer to a mixing bowl.

Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook until onion is soft and chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Add the chicken mixture to the bowl with the pasta, then add the canned tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.

Butter or spray with cooking spray an 8X8 pan and spread the pasta in the dish. Mix together the bread crumbs and Parmesan and sprinkle over the top. Dot with small bits of the butter. Bake until the top is golden brown, about 30 minutes. Bon Appetit!