Recipe
Cheat's Chicken Parm Pasta
Crispy shortcut chicken burgers over cheesy tomato spaghetti with bacon for an easy 30-minute family dinner.
Ingredients
Method
10 mins prep24 mins cook30 mins total
Cook the frozen breaded chicken burgers in the air fryer according to the packet instructions, usually at 200°C for about 24 minutes, turning halfway through.
Meanwhile, bring a large pan of lightly salted water to the boil. Cook the spaghetti until just tender, then reserve a mugful of the pasta water before draining.
Fry the chopped bacon in a large frying pan until crisp. Add the garlic, if using, and cook for 30 seconds, then stir in the jarred bolognese sauce, herbs, chilli flakes and black pepper. Simmer for 8–10 minutes.
Toss the drained spaghetti through the sauce, loosening it with a splash of reserved pasta water. Stir through half of the grated cheddar and taste before adding any salt.
Slice the crisp chicken burgers and arrange them over the pasta. Scatter over the remaining cheddar and the Italian hard cheese.
Serve immediately, or place the pan under a hot grill for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is bubbling and lightly golden.
Notes
Check the packet instructions for the exact air-fryer temperature and cooking time, as chicken burger sizes vary.
Leave out the bacon for a simpler version, or use extra black pepper and chilli flakes for more savoury warmth.
Go carefully with extra salt because the bacon, sauce and cheeses already bring plenty of seasoning.
About this recipe
This shortcut chicken parm pasta turns frozen breaded chicken burgers into a crisp, cheesy topping for tomato-coated spaghetti. Bacon adds a savoury edge, while cheddar and Italian hard cheese give the finished dish plenty of bubbling, golden comfort.
It is designed for a busy evening: the chicken cooks in the air fryer while the pasta and sauce come together on the hob. Keep the seasoning light at the end because the bacon, jarred sauce and cheeses are already well seasoned.
