Attention Span Casserole–a super easy dump-and-go recipe with only a handful of ingredients made with tender chicken, salsa, cream cheese, pasta and melty mozzarella.
Attention Span Casserole
If you have a short attention span and get distracted while cooking this is the recipe for you. With just 5 main ingredients and a dump and go method you’ll have this cooking in no time. It feels almost too easy for how good it turns out! The salsa adds so much flavor without needing a long list of spices or ingredients. It’s super creamy and flavorful and saucy. It’s a great busy-night dinner and leftovers reheat really well too! You’ll love it.
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon chicken base
- Penne–or cavatappi
- Chicken thighs–or chicken breasts
- Salsa–mild, medium or hot
- Cream cheese
- Spinach–optional
- Mozzarella cheese–or parmesan cheese
Steps
Pour broth into Instant Pot. Sprinkle in the penne. Dump chicken, salsa and cream cheese on top.
Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
Stir in the spinach and mozzarella.
Serve and enjoy!
Notes/Tips
- Serve with a green salad, steamed broccoli or and bread sticks.
- For extra flavor, sprinkle with parmesan cheese or red pepper flakes before serving.
- Fresh spinach wilts quickly in the hot pasta so there’s no need to cook it separately.
- Fresh spinach wilts quickly in the hot pasta so there’s no need to cook it separately.
- You can use mild salsa for picky eaters or spicy salsa if you want more heat.
- You can easily double this recipe to serve a crowd.
- I used my 4 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3, 6 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. I wouldn’t recommend freezing this one because cream cheese sauces can separate after thawing.
- Other recipes you can make with salsa are Instant Pot Creamy Salsa Chicken and Slow Cooker Savory Pork Burrito Bowls.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
Attention Span Casserole
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 minutes (plus 10 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 19 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
A super easy dump-and-go recipe with only a handful of ingredients made with tender chicken, salsa, cream cheese, pasta and melty mozzarella.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 8 oz penne
- 16 oz chicken thighs, cut into bite size pieces
- 2 cups salsa
- 6 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup chopped spinach (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Pour broth into Instant Pot. Sprinkle in the penne. Dump chicken, salsa and cream cheese on top.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 4 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 10 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the spinach and mozzarella.
- Serve and enjoy!
- Category: Chicken, Pasta
- Method: Instant Pot
More Instant Pot recipes with penne pasta…
Minneapolis Miracle Casserole
A creamy, cheesy Instant Pot pasta dish with chicken, crispy bacon, ranch seasoning, and spinach, all cooked in one pot for an easy, flavorful meal.
Susan’s Casserole
Susan’s Casserole–an Instant Pot penne pasta dish with pepperoni pizza vibes. It’s easy to make and kids love it! Pin this recipe for later! Susan’s Casserole This is an easy and fun penne pasta dish with roasted garlic sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella and mushrooms. If you’re a fan of the supreme pizza feel free to add
Henny Penny Chicken
Penne pasta and chicken in a creamy white sauce…better than alfredo!
Kentucky Casserole
Creamy cheesy penne pasta with bacon, tomatoes and turkey or chicken. This is an easy dump-and-go Instant Pot recipe!
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Any chance you have a Slow Cooker version of this recipe? I’d love to make it, but I don’t have an InstaPot. 🙂
Unfortunately, I have had mixed results with pasta in the slow cooker so I don’t know that this would be a great candidate. You could make it on the stove though. I would cook the chicken in a large pan. While that’s cooking boil the pasta and drain it. Stir all together and serve.
Do you think that this recipe can be made with gluten free pasta?
If it can, would the cooking time need to be adjusted?
you could use the Banza pasta. I’ve used that in the past and it seems to work quite well in the IP. Cut pressure cooking time to 3 minutes. Good luck!
This sounds delicious. Do you think it can be made with lower fat cream cheese? I know sometimes the fat is needed for the recipe. definitely going to try this!
Yes, lower fat cream cheese should work just fine in this recipe! The texture may be slightly less rich and creamy, but it should still turn out delicious 😊
thank you!