Skip to main content
Chicken and Double Cheese Harissa Pasta Bake
Chicken and Double Cheese Harissa Pasta Bake

Chicken and Double Cheese Harissa Pasta Bake

with Pepper and Spinach

Recipe Development Team
Recipe Development TeamUpdated on November 11, 2025

Pasta bakes are a crowd-pleasing dish, typically pairing tomatoey sauces with gooey melted cheese. Here, we're using twice the cheese with mozzarella and Cheddar, paired with a punchy harissa sauce.

Tags:
High Protein
Allergens:
Cereals containing gluten
Wheat
Milk
Sulphites

The quantities provided above are averages only.

Produced in a facility that processes eggs, milk, fish, peanuts, sesame, shellfish, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.

Total35 minutes
Active 30 minutes
DifficultyEasy

Ingredients

serving amount

180 grams

Rigatoni Pasta

(Contains: Cereals containing gluten, Wheat)

1 unit(s)

Bell Pepper

2 unit(s)

Garlic Clove

1 ball(s)

Mozzarella

(Contains: Milk)

30 grams

Mature Cheddar Cheese

(Contains: Milk)

1 sachet(s)

Roasted Spice and Herb Blend

30 grams

Tomato Puree

28 grams

Red Wine Stock Paste

(Contains: Sulphites)

75 grams

Creme Fraiche

(Contains: Milk)

50 grams

Harissa Paste

40 grams

Baby Spinach

240 grams

Diced British Chicken Breast

Not included in your delivery

1 tbsp

Honey

150 milliliter(s)

Water for the Sauce

Nutritional information

Energy (kJ)3926 kJ
Energy (kcal)938 kcal
Fat37 g
of which saturates18.7 g
Carbohydrate91.9 g
of which sugars22.5 g
Dietary Fibre7 g
Protein57.1 g
Salt3.2 g
Potassium231.7 mg
Calcium7.8 mg
Iron0.3 mg
Always refer to the product label for the most accurate ingredient and allergen information.

Utensils

Colander
Large Saucepan
Garlic Press
Grater
Large Frying Pan
Oven dish

Instructions

Cook the Pasta
1

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil with ½ tsp salt

When boiling, add the rigatoni to the water and bring back to the boil. Cook until tender, 12 mins.

Once cooked, drain in a colander and pop back in the pan. Drizzle with oil and stir through to stop it sticking together.

Get Prepped
2

While the pasta cooks, halve the bell pepper and discard the core and seeds. Chop into 1cm chunks. 

Peel and grate the garlic (or use a garlic press).

Drain the mozzarella and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Pat dry with kitchen paper, then tear into small pieces.

Grate the Cheddar cheese. Preheat the grill to high. 

Start your Pasta Sauce
3

Meanwhile, heat a drizzle of oil in a large frying pan on high heat. 

Once hot, add the pepper chunks. Stir-fry until tender, 5-6 mins. 

Lower the heat to medium and add the garlic and roasted spice and herb blend. Cook for 30 secs more. 

Stir in the diced chicken, tomato puree, red wine stock paste, creme fraiche, honey and water for the sauce (see pantry for both amounts). TIP: Notice a stronger smell from your chicken? Don’t worry, this is normal due to packaging we use to keep it fresh. IMPORTANT: Wash hands and utensils after handling raw meat.

Assemble your Bake
4

Bring the sauce to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer until thickened, 3-4 mins. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed. 

Add the spinach to the pan a handful at a time until wilted and piping hot, 1-2 mins.

When ready, combine the cooked pasta and sauce (in whichever pan is biggest). Stir through the harissa paste (add less if you'd prefer things milder). Add a splash of water if it's a little too thick, then transfer to an appropriately sized ovenproof dish.

Scatter over the mozzarella and Cheddar.

Time to Grill
5

Pop the dish under the grill and cook until the cheese is bubbling and golden, 4-5 mins. IMPORTANT: Cook so there's no pink in the middle of the chicken.

Serve
6

When ready, share the harissa pasta bake between your bowls.

This week's must-try HelloFresh recipes