Chilli Pasta Bake
The slimming-friendly ingredients in this Chilli Pasta Bake make the perfect meal if you’re calorie counting or following a diet plan like Weight Watchers!
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories523
- Carbs82g
- Protein24g
- Fat4g
- Saturates2g
- Sugars19g
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For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
What happens when you combine a classic chilli and a comforting pasta bake? You get a delicious Chilli Pasta Bake that’s hearty, filling and doesn’t cost a fortune to make!
We hate searching the supermarket aisles for complex ingredients, so we’ve made sure our Chilli Pasta Bake is made from inexpensive, easy to find ingredients so you can enjoy preparing and cooking this dish within 45 minutes! It’s so versatile, you can substitute the pasta for whatever shapes you have in, and throw in any leftovers you have too!
Ideal for a weeknight dinner, and you could even have a smaller portion for lunch the following day with a fresh salad on the side.
What diets is this Chilli Pasta Bake suitable for?
This recipe is suitable if you’re gluten free as long as you swap out the following ingredients for gluten free versions;
- Stock cubes
- Worcestershire sauce
- Pasta
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
Do you need any special ingredients to make Chilli Pasta Bake?
You can find all the ingredients for this tasty recipe in most supermarkets – there’s nothing fancy required!
We like to use Frank’s Hot Sauce as it has the right amount of chilli kick and adds a little acidity too. You can add whichever hot sauce you like, or leave it out if you’re not keen on too much spice.
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How many calories are in this Chilli Pasta Bake?
There are 523 calories in each portion of our slimming friendly Chilli Pasta Bake. This means it falls into our Special Occasion recipe category.
This recipe is perfect if you’re following a calorie controlled diet, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Spray a decent sized pan with some low calorie cooking spray, then sauté the onions, garlic, chopped chilli, carrots and peppers over a medium to high heat.
Step 2
When the veg starts to soften add the mince and cook until it starts to brown.
Step 3
Stir in the chilli powder, Worcestershire sauce, Italian herbs and cook for another minute or so.
Step 4
Add the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and Franks Hot Sauce. Stir well.
Step 5
Pour in the stock (made up with the 2 stock cubes and 200ml of boiling water). Add the remaining veg and stir.
Step 6
Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat, cover and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 7
While the chilli is simmering, add the pasta to a pan of boiling salted water and cook according to the pack instructions.
Step 8
Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. Drain the pasta and place it in a decent sized oven proof dish.
Step 9
After 20 minutes add the drained kidney beans to the chilli and stir in the stock pot.
Step 10
Mix in half of the chilli with the pasta in the oven proof bowl. Spoon the remainder on top, making sure to cover as much of the pasta as possible.
Step 11
Top with the grated cheese, then bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
What should you should serve with Chilli Pasta Bake?
This hearty dish is a meal in itself, but you could serve it with one of these accompaniments if you fancy:
Whatever accompaniment you choose, don’t forget to account for the extra calories and/or other nutritional values.
You can adapt this recipe to suit your taste – have it as hot as you like, just add a bit more or less chilli powder. You can even add in some freshly chopped chilli too.
Can you cook this Chilli Pasta Bake another way?
This recipe is really quick to make on the hob and in the oven so we’ve not used any different ways to cook this.
How do you know when this Chilli Pasta Bake is cooked?
You should bake this dish in the oven until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
This recipe should take around 30 minutes in total.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
How long can you keep this Chilli Pasta Bake in the fridge?
Once you’ve put it out, ideally you should eat it straight away.
If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of Chilli Pasta Bake in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze this Chilli Pasta Bake?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat this Chilli Pasta Bake?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 3-5 minutes until piping hot.
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Chilli Pasta Bake
The slimming-friendly ingredients in this Chilli Pasta Bake make the perfect meal if you’re calorie counting or following a diet plan like Weight Watchers!
-
Prep Time
15 MINS
-
Cook Time
30 MINS
- KCals 523
- Carbs 82G
Instructions
- Spray a decent sized pan with some low calorie cooking spray, then sauté the onions, garlic, chopped chilli, carrots and peppers over a medium to high heat.
- When the veg starts to soften add the mince and cook until it starts to brown.
- Stir in the chilli powder, Worcestershire sauce, Italian herbs and cook for another minute or so.
- Add the tomato puree, chopped tomatoes and Franks Hot Sauce. Stir well.
- Pour in the stock (made up with the 2 stock cubes and 200ml of boiling water). Add the remaining veg and stir.
- Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat, cover and allow to simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- While the chilli is simmering, add the pasta to a pan of boiling salted water and cook according to the pack instructions.
- Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. Drain the pasta and place it in a decent sized oven proof dish.
- After 20 minutes add the drained kidney beans to the chilli and stir in the stock pot.
- Mix in half of the chilli with the pasta in the oven proof bowl. Spoon the remainder on top, making sure to cover as much of the pasta as possible.
- Top with the grated cheese, then bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?
With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.
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We agreed with Slimming World to remove their trademarked terms from our website
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79 comments
See what others have to say
Pauline JohnsTuesday 14th March 2023
Lovely recipe, reduced pasta to 400g, enough for 8 not 4, but happy to have portions left for lunches and freezer. Need to revise cook time, as all times add up to greater than total shown. Thank you for another hit recipe
SharonThursday 13th July 2023
Hi Pauline, thanks for your lovely comment, we’re so pleased to hear you enjoyed our Chilli Pasta Bake! Thanks also for your feedback about the recipe.
TamsinSunday 14th August 2022
I froze a large portion of this. Once defrosted, can I reheat it in the oven, as opposed to the microwave? If so, how long should I heat it for?
Many thanks x
HollyMonday 15th August 2022
Hey Tamsin, yes you can reheat in the oven. Cover with foil and place into an oven at 180ºC for 15-20 minutes or until piping hot. Hope that helps!
Maureen ArcherMonday 9th May 2022
What can I use instead of Franks Sauce ad can’t find it in the supermarket thanks
HollyMonday 9th May 2022
Hi Maureen, any brand of hot sauce will work in this pasta bake. You could try Sriracha or tabasco along with many other brands available in supermarkets. Hope that helps!
KateFriday 1st December 2023
I found it in Home Bargains, together with Hendersons Relish
Sandra McPherson haveTuesday 15th February 2022
Can this recipe be frozen if any leftovers. ????
SharonTuesday 15th February 2022
Hi Sandra, yes, the Chilli Pasta Bake can be frozen. Recipes that can be frozen have a blue ‘snowflake’ badge underneath the main image of the recipe.Thanks for your question and hope this helps.
Nicola BWednesday 5th January 2022
Made this tonight and it was lovely! It was a huge portion of pasta – looking at the recipe for 4 people I would have thought 500g of mince and 250g of pasta would have been more in line with the usual pinch of nom recipes?
HollyThursday 6th January 2022
Hey Nicola, if you feel like the portions are a little large then you can reduce the portion size and alter the calories accordingly. Hope that helps!
Amy SnookesMonday 3rd January 2022
Just come across this recipe, it looks delicious can’t wait to try.
Would it change the dish much if I grated the carrot and courgette instead?
HollyTuesday 4th January 2022
Hey Amy, yes you grate the carrot and courgette instead of dicing them. Hope that helps!
Yazzy89xSaturday 20th November 2021
Hi there, just wondering if the fresh chilli can be substituted for chilli flakes instead? If so, how much would you recommend, to get the same heat as the original recipe given? Many thanks in advance 🙂
SharonMonday 22nd November 2021
Hi Yazzy, you can use dried chilli flakes instead of fresh chilli if you prefer. You could try about 1/2 tsp of dried chilli flakes, although their heat can vary depending on how old they are, so this as a guide and adjust to suit your own taste. Hope this helps.
Audrey S.Saturday 13th November 2021
Just about to make this, just need to know if going by the recipe is this very spicy? Should I miss the fresh chillies out to make it less spicy?
HollyTuesday 16th November 2021
Hey Audrey, this recipe isn’t super spicy but if it’s more to your taste you can halve the chilli or omit all together. Hope that helps!
KrystleSaturday 22nd May 2021
Would
Mixed herbs be ok I’ve no Italian ones in at the min
HollyMonday 24th May 2021
Hey Krystle, yes mixed herbs will be fine in this recipe, hope that helps!
JoanneSaturday 13th March 2021
Absolutely beautiful, such a change from ordinary chilli. I make it for two but could’ve easily served 3-4 people! Not to worry it won’t go to waste .
HollyMonday 15th March 2021
Hi Joanne, thanks for your message so glad to hear you enjoyed the Chilli Pasta Bake!
Sarah STuesday 12th January 2021
Made this tonight!! Tastes amazing!! Got to say though! It’s absolutely massive!! Defo could serve 6 and not 4! Dished up two quarters and it’s a big portion!! Had to believe it’s healthy but hey! Tastes fantastic!!
HollyThursday 14th January 2021
Hi Sarah, so glad you enjoyed the Chilli Pasta Bake!
Debbie BrodleyMonday 15th February 2021
Made this tonight and OMG! It tastes so good it should be bad for you.. I served it with a corn on the cob which wasn’t needed as there is SOOOO much… I cooked it to serve 4, and it can definitely and easily serve 6. No drama though, I have froze some down…
Pinch OF Nom, you’ve done it again!!!!! Banging recipe!
HollyTuesday 16th February 2021
Hey Debbie, so glad you enjoyed the Chilli Pasta Bake!
LisaThursday 10th December 2020
It mentions a stock pot and 2 stock cubes – but the steps only specifies adding the stock cubes with 200 ml water – no mention of the stock pot?
HollyFriday 11th December 2020
Hi Lisa, so the 2 stock cubes are mixed into the boiling water and added in step 5 then the stock pot is added n step 9 with the kidney beans. Hope that helps!
Michelle JenkinsTuesday 13th October 2020
says in the ingredients to use courgette and mushrooms but doesn’t mention in the recipe when you add them
HollyWednesday 14th October 2020
Hey Michelle, In step 5 pour in the stock (made up with the 2 stock cubes and 200ml of boiling water) and add the remaining veg so that includes the courgette and mushrooms. Hope that helps!
Amy MatthewsSaturday 3rd October 2020
This recipe looks amazing! Right up my street. Can I just confirm that it is 19 points per portion? Just seems quite high? Thank you xxx
HollyWednesday 7th October 2020
Hey Amy, I have just double checked the WW points for this recipe and they are correct on the page. Have a look at out guide on how we work out our nutritional information here: https://pinchofnom.com/how-to-work-out-calories-and-points-in-a-recipe/
EmmaSunday 26th July 2020
This makes such a change from normal pasta bakes! Loved it! Although the serves 4 recipe card could definitely serve at least 6! Can’t wait to have my seconds tomorrow!
SharonMonday 27th July 2020
Hi Emma, we’re so pleased to hear you loved the Chill Pasta Bake, thanks for letting us know!
AmandaWednesday 8th July 2020
How many portions does this make please?
HollyThursday 9th July 2020
Hey Amanda, the recipe serves 4 but you can alter the servings up and down if you scroll down to the recipe card and use the arrows above the ingredients list. Hope that helps!
CharlotteFriday 31st January 2020
Absolutely delicious! I made it without the meat as I didn’t have any in. It gave me an enormous dinner portion, plus 2 additional dinner portions and 3 lunch portions! All from veggies that I already had in! As usual great recipe. I left out the stock pot, as I don’t tend to like as strong a flavour, but still used the 2 stock cubes.
Steve CowderoyMonday 18th May 2020
Hi Charlotte, so glad you enjoyed this recipe and how clever to use what you already had in. Keep up the good work and thanks for letting us know.
SharonMonday 14th February 2022
Hi Mrs D, thanks so much for your lovely comment and your tip on using this recipe to make two versions of your own chilli con carne.They sound great!
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