Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe (Easy Creamy Family Dinner)

Updated: April 2026

Cajun chicken pasta bake is an easy, creamy family dinner that’s packed with tender chicken, smoky Cajun spices, pasta and melted cheese. If you’re looking for a cosy comfort food meal that’s simple enough for a busy weeknight but delicious enough for a weekend dinner, this Cajun chicken pasta bake recipe is a brilliant one to keep on repeat.

This cheesy chicken pasta bake is made with a creamy tomato and Cajun sauce, then baked until bubbling and golden. It’s full of flavour, family friendly, and perfect served with garlic bread, peas, broccoli or salad.

If your family loves creamy pasta dishes and easy chicken dinners, this baked Cajun chicken pasta is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.

Quick Answer: What Is Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake?

Cajun chicken pasta bake is a creamy baked pasta dish made with chicken breast, Cajun seasoning, passata, cream, pasta and cheese. The chicken is cooked in a smoky, gently spiced tomato sauce, mixed with pasta, topped with cheese and baked until golden and bubbling.

Why You’ll Love This Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

• Easy weeknight dinner
• Creamy, cheesy comfort food
• Family friendly with gentle spice
• Made with simple everyday ingredients
• Perfect for batch cooking
• Great for leftovers
• Ready in under an hour

Why This Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake Works

This recipe works so well because the Cajun seasoning adds loads of flavour without making the dish overpoweringly spicy, while the cream softens the heat and gives the sauce a rich, silky texture.

Using passata keeps the sauce smooth and helps coat the pasta evenly, and baking everything together with cheese on top gives you that classic pasta bake finish that makes it feel extra comforting and satisfying.

Ingredients For Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

This creamy Cajun chicken pasta bake uses simple ingredients that are easy to find in any supermarket.

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 600g chicken breast, diced
• 2 to 3 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
• 690g passata
• 100ml double cream
• 300g pasta shells
• 150g Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1 bunch spring onions, finely chopped
• salt and black pepper

Homemade Cajun Seasoning

If you want to make your own Cajun seasoning, mix together:

• 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper

I’d salt the dish separately rather than adding salt to the seasoning mix.

Ingredient Tips And Substitutions

Best Pasta For Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

Pasta shells are great because they catch the sauce well, but you can also use:

• penne
• fusilli
• rigatoni
• macaroni

Chicken Options

You can make this recipe with:

• diced chicken breast
• diced chicken thigh fillets
• leftover cooked chicken

If using leftover cooked chicken, stir it into the sauce later so it doesn’t dry out.

Cheese Options

Cheddar gives a lovely strong cheesy topping, but you can also use:

• mozzarella
• Red Leicester
• a Cheddar and mozzarella mix

Extra Vegetables To Add

If you want to stretch the recipe or add more veg, try:

• mushrooms
• courgettes
• spinach
• sweetcorn
• black beans

How To Make Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

This is a simple, fuss-free pasta bake recipe that comes together in a few easy steps.

Step 1 – Fry The Onion And Pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan or deep frying pan over a medium heat.

Add the diced onion and red pepper and cook gently for around 5 minutes until softened.

Step 2 – Cook The Chicken

Add the diced chicken breast to the pan along with the Cajun seasoning.

Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring regularly, until the chicken is sealed and starting to colour.

Step 3 – Make The Cajun Chicken Sauce

Pour in the passata and season with salt and black pepper.

Bring the sauce to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer with the lid on for 20 minutes.

Step 4 – Cook The Pasta

While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions until just al dente.

Drain well and set aside.

Step 5 – Stir In The Cream

Take the sauce off the heat and stir in the double cream.

The sauce will look quite loose at this stage, but that’s exactly what you want because the pasta will absorb some of the sauce in the oven.

Step 6 – Combine The Pasta And Sauce

Add the cooked pasta to the Cajun chicken sauce and stir until everything is well coated.

Spoon the mixture into an ovenproof dish.

Step 7 – Add The Cheese Topping

Scatter the grated Cheddar cheese and chopped spring onions evenly over the top.

Step 8 – Bake Until Golden

Preheat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4.

Bake the Cajun chicken pasta bake for around 15 minutes until the cheese is melted, bubbling and lightly golden.

Leave it to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

What To Serve With Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

Cajun chicken pasta bake goes really well with simple side dishes such as:

• garlic bread
• broccoli
• peas
• sweetcorn
• rainbow salad
• Coleslaw
• air fryer corn on the cob

Expert Tips For The Best Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

Don’t Overcook The Pasta

Cook the pasta until just al dente so it keeps its shape once baked.

Keep The Sauce Slightly Loose

A pasta bake should look a little saucy before it goes into the oven. That helps stop it drying out.

Taste The Sauce Before Baking

Cajun seasoning blends vary, so it’s worth tasting the sauce and adjusting the seasoning before combining it with the pasta.

Let It Rest Before Serving

Leaving the pasta bake for 5 minutes after baking helps the sauce settle and makes it easier to serve.

Variations

Spicier Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

Add extra cayenne pepper or a pinch of chilli flakes if you want more heat.

Chicken And Chorizo Pasta Bake

Add sliced chorizo when frying the chicken for an even smokier, richer flavour.

Vegetable Cajun Pasta Bake

Swap the chicken for roasted sweet potato, peppers and black beans for a veggie version.

Lighter Cajun Pasta Bake

Use reduced-fat cream cheese or crème fraîche instead of double cream for a lighter sauce.

Storage, Freezing And Reheating

How To Store Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Can You Freeze Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake?

Yes, Cajun chicken pasta bake freezes well for up to 3 months.

You can freeze it either before baking or after baking. Defrost thoroughly in the fridge before reheating.

How To Reheat Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake

Reheat in the oven at 180°C until piping hot throughout.

Individual portions can also be reheated in the microwave.

Make Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake Ahead

You can make the sauce ahead of time, cook the pasta and assemble the whole dish earlier in the day. Cover and keep it in the fridge, then bake when you’re ready to eat.

If baking straight from the fridge, it may need a few extra minutes in the oven.

More Easy Pasta Bake Recipes

If you love easy family pasta bakes, try these too:

• Bolognese Pasta Bake
• Meatball Pasta Bake
• Tuna Pasta Bake
• Chicken Fajita Pasta Bake
• Chicken And Chorizo Pasta Bake
• Mince Pasta Bake
• Hunters Chicken Pasta Bake

More Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes

If your family loves easy chicken dinners, try these recipes too:

• Firecracker Chicken
• Chicken Goujons
• Paprika Chicken
• Air Fryer Chicken Fajitas