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Wholewheat Macaroni with Chicken

Rice & pasta
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Today I am making wholewheat macaroni with chicken, the kind of comforting meal meant to be shared around the table without any stress. Minced chicken gets tossed with tomato sauce to keep the pasta wonderfully juicy, and everything finishes with a layer of golden, bubbly melted cheese from the oven. That toasted crust is easily my favourite part.

This wholewheat pasta recipe yields 10 generous servings, making it ideal for feeding family and friends. It takes about 45 minutes between prep and baking. To make sure the pasta keeps a great bite after baking, I always recommend sticking to the package cooking time and not overcooking it.

For more pasta ideas, I recommend my Wholewheat spaghetti with tomato and meatballs and my Linguine with vegetables and chicken.

Prep: 10 minCook: 35 minServes: 10

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need for this recipe

  • 1Kg wholewheat macaroni
  • 500gr minced chicken
  • Healthy tomato sauce
  • Cheese

Step by step

Method

  1. 1In a frying pan, cook the minced chicken until cooked through completely.
  2. 2At the same time, bring a large pot of water to the boil, add the macaroni once boiling, and cook until al dente (check your package instructions).
  3. 3Once the meat is cooked, take it out of the pan and add the tomato sauce (I used some I had frozen).
  4. 4When the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop the cooking, drain thoroughly, and add to the tomato sauce.
  5. 5Preheat the oven to 200ºC.
  6. 6Stir well so the macaroni is evenly coated in the sauce.
  7. 7Add the cooked chicken back in and stir again.
  8. 8Let it cook for a minute while stirring so nothing sticks to the bottom.
  9. 9Transfer the macaroni to a baking dish and top with grated cheese (I used high-protein cheese).
  10. 10Bake until the cheese is melted and nicely golden brown.
  11. 11All done! Our wholewheat macaroni with chicken is ready to serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long should I cook the wholewheat macaroni?

It depends on the brand and shape, so check the package instructions and test the pasta before draining. Since it finishes in the oven under the grill, it is best to leave it firmly al dente.

Can I freeze this chicken macaroni bake?

Yes, you can freeze individual portions in airtight containers once fully cooled (do not leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours). Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat until piping hot throughout; if it looks a bit dry, stir in a spoonful of tomato sauce.

Can I swap the protein cheese for another type?

Yes, grated mozzarella or any good melting cheese works great for gratinating. The final taste and richness will depend on whichever cheese you pick.

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