Italian baked chicken florentine meatballs pasta is a one-pan meal packed with spinach parmesan cheese, and creamy fettuccini goodness. This recipe is perfect for busy families–it’s a no fuss meal that everyone will love!
As a busy mom and teacher, I’m always on the lookout for meals that are not only delicious but also easy to prepare and clean up. That’s why I absolutely love this Easy Baked Chicken Florentine Meatballs with Fettuccine recipe! It’s inspired by one of my favorite Italian dishes, Chicken Florentine, and it all comes together beautifully in just one pan.
It can be so incredibly challenging to find the time to prepare a wholesome, delicious meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. This chicken florentine meatballs pasta dish is a one-pan wonder is perfect for those hectic days when you need something quick, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
Whether I’m preparing a quick weeknight dinner for my family or entertaining guests, this dish never fails to impress. Plus, it’s packed with nutritious ingredients that give my kids the energy they need for their after-school activities. This recipe is a staple in our home!
Get ready to add this easy baked chicken florentine meatballs with penne pasta to your simple dinners rotation!
why your family will love this recipe
- One-Pan Dinner. Minimal cleanup means more time to relax after dinner.
- Nutritious and Delicious. Packed with fresh spinach, protein and wholesome ingredients, it’s a meal you can feel good about serving that is both satisfying, comforting and nourishing.
- Kid-Approved. The creamy sauce and baked meatballs are a hit with kids of all ages, even the pickiest of eaters.
- Perfect for Entertaining. Elegant enough for guests, yet simple enough for a family meal.
- Meal Prep Friendly. Make it ahead of time and enjoy it throughout the week.
ingredients
Florentine baked chicken parmesan meatballs
- ground chicken
- garlic
- onion powder
- italian seasoning
- fresh spinach, finely chopped
- grated parmesan cheese
- seasoned panko bread crumbs
- egg
fettuccine pasta
- onion
- olive oil
- garlic
- fettuccine pasta
- chicken broth
- cream
- parmesan cheese
- fresh parsely for garnish (optional)
substitutions for this recipe
- Ground Chicken: Swap with ground turkey or beef if preferred.
- Spinach: Use kale or Swiss chard for a different green.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Use regular breadcrumbs or gluten-free options
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano can be a tasty alternative.
- Fettuccine Pasta: Substitute with any pasta you have on hand, like penne or spaghetti.
- Cream: For a lighter version, use half-and-half or a non-dairy cream alternative like coconut or cashew cream.
how to make one-pan chicken Florentine meatballs pasta
Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 420°F.
Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, garlic, finely chopped spinach, parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, egg, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Form into 1(1/2)-inch meatballs.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Drizzle olive oil in a large oven-safe dish, spread onion and garlic, and layer with broken fettuccine.
Add Liquids: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream over the pasta, sprinkle Parmesan, and season.
Add Meatballs: Nestle the meatballs into the pasta mixture.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake 40-45 minutes until the pasta is al dente and meatballs are cooked through. **For an extra crispy top, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning, and enjoy that perfectly golden, cheesy crust!
Finish and Serve: Stir pasta, garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or oregano if desired and enjoy!
Quick Tip: Effortlessly Chopping Spinach with a Food Processor
Chopping spinach can be a time-consuming task, especially when you’re trying to prepare a meal in a hurry. Thankfully, your food processor can make this process much quicker and easier! Here’s how to do it:
- Wash and Dry: Start by thoroughly washing your spinach leaves to remove any dirt or debris. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel or use a salad spinner to remove excess moisture.
- Remove Stems: For a smoother texture in your meatballs, remove any tough stems from the spinach leaves. This step is optional but recommended for the best results.
- Prepare the Food Processor: Attach the chopping blade to your food processor. This blade is perfect for quickly and evenly chopping leafy greens like spinach.
- Pulse in Batches: Add the spinach leaves to the food processor in manageable batches. Avoid overloading the processor to ensure even chopping. Use the pulse function to chop the spinach to your desired consistency. A few quick pulses should be enough to achieve finely chopped spinach.
- Check Consistency: Open the food processor and check the consistency of the spinach. If needed, give it a few more pulses until you reach the desired texture.
Using a food processor not only saves time but also ensures that the spinach is evenly chopped, making it easier to incorporate into your Chicken Florentine Meatballs. Plus, it minimizes the mess, leaving you with more time to enjoy cooking and less time cleaning up this simple one pan baked chicken meatballs recipe!
Chicken Florentine meatballs pasta storage and meal prep
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. This dish reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep. You can also freeze individual portions for up to 2 months; just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
This chicken florentine meatballs with fettuccine pasta recipe makes one incredible meal prep! It’s easy, delicious, and loaded with comfort and flavor. You will want to divide the chicken florentine meatballs into 4 meal prep containers and get ready for one delicious week of prepped lunches!
pro-tip for this recipe
For an extra burst of flavor, try adding a pinch of red pepper flakes or a splash of lemon juice to the sauce before baking. It adds a subtle kick and freshness that complements the creamy sauce perfectly!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes.
Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.
Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!
ENJOY!
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- Easy Baked Chicken Parm Meatballs with Penne Pasta (One Pan Meal!)
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Easy Baked Chicken Florentine Meatballs with Fettuccine Pasta (One Pan Meal!)
Ingredients
for the baked chicken florentine meatballs
- 1½ lb ground chicken
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- 1 cup fresh spinach, finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
for the creamy parmesan fettuccine
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz fettuccine pasta, or your favorite pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup cream
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
- fresh parsely or basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 420°F.
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, garlic, finely chopped spinach, parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, egg, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Form into 1(1/2)-inch meatballs.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Drizzle olive oil in a large oven-safe dish, spread onion and garlic, and layer with broken fettuccine.
- Add Liquids: Pour chicken broth and heavy cream over the pasta, sprinkle Parmesan, and season.
- Add Meatballs: Nestle the meatballs into the pasta mixture.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake 40-45 minutes until the pasta is al dente and meatballs are cooked through. **For an extra crispy top, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning, and enjoy that perfectly golden, cheesy crust!
- Finish and Serve: Stir pasta, garnish with fresh parsley, basil, or oregano if desired and enjoy!
Equipment
- baking dish
Nutrition
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KT
It was so delicious, the whole family couldn’t get enough of this!