Pasta Chicken Taco Bake

Name: Pasta Chicken Taco Bake
Ingredients: 8 -10 ounces penne pasta (cooked to only firm-tender, drained and set aside); 2 lbs uncooked ground chicken (can use ground beef also); 1 large onion, chopped; 1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (optional or to taste, but good to use!); 1 1/2 cups water (more if needed, can use low-sodium chicken broth in place of water if desired, or use half of each); 1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix (or use my own Kittencal's Taco Seasoning Mix); 2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn (use the corn mixed with sweet peppers if possible); 2 1/2 cups sliced pitted olives (use the large green pimento-stuffed, also you can use black); 3 cups grated cheddar cheese (or to taste); 1 1/4 cups salsa (or to taste); 2 (4 ounce) cans green chili peppers, drained; salt and pepper (optional); 1 small green bell pepper, chopped (optional)

13 ingredients

9 steps

Ingredients

8 -10 ounces penne pasta (cooked to only firm-tender, drained and set aside)
2 lbs uncooked ground chicken (can use ground beef also)
1 large onion, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic (optional or to taste, but good to use!)
1 1/2 cups water (more if needed, can use low-sodium chicken broth in place of water if desired, or use half of each)
1 (1 ounce) package taco seasoning mix (or use my own Kittencal's Taco Seasoning Mix)
2 (11 ounce) cans whole kernel corn (use the corn mixed with sweet peppers if possible)
2 1/2 cups sliced pitted olives (use the large green pimento-stuffed, also you can use black)
3 cups grated cheddar cheese (or to taste)
1 1/4 cups salsa (or to taste)
2 (4 ounce) cans green chili peppers, drained
salt and pepper (optional)
1 small green bell pepper, chopped (optional)

Directions

1

Grease a 3-quart casserole dish.
2

In a skillet cook the ground chicken with onion and garlic until brown.
3

Stir in water (or chicken broth if using) and taco seasoning mix; bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for about 10-12 minutes stirring occasionally.
4

Stir in cooked pasta, corn, olives and half of the shredded cheese, salsa, chile peppers and green bell pepper (if using); mix to combine.
5

Transfer the mixture to a prepared baking dish.
6

Set oven to 350°F.
7

Bake covered for about 35 minutes, then remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
8

Return to oven and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes.
9

DELICIOUS!