My college roommate threw together this 4 ingredient meal once and I have been craving it ever since

This oven baked 4-ingredient lemon pepper pasta is one of those happy accidents that sticks with you for years. My college roommate tossed it together in our tiny apartment kitchen with what she had on hand: a box of pasta, a jar of creamy lemon pepper sauce, a pack of chicken, and some butter. It baked up into this cozy, bright yellow, super creamy pasta with tender, seasoned chicken on top—and I’ve been craving it ever since. It’s the kind of simple, comforting meal you can throw in the oven on a busy night and still feel like you’re treating your family to something special.

Serve this lemon pepper pasta with a simple green salad—romaine or mixed greens with a light vinaigrette helps balance the creamy sauce. Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce in the bottom of the bowl. If you’d like a little more color on the table, add steamed broccoli or green beans on the side. A sprinkle of extra black pepper at the table and a squeeze of fresh lemon (if you have it) make it feel restaurant-worthy without any extra fuss.

Servings: 4

8 oz (about 1/2 box) short pasta, such as penne or rotini

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish (about 8x8 inches or similar) with a bit of butter or nonstick spray.

Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook for about 2 minutes less than the package directions for al dente. You want it just shy of done since it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain the pasta well.

While the pasta cooks, cut the chicken breasts into bite-size chunks. Pat them dry with a paper towel so they brown a bit better. Season lightly with salt and pepper if you like.

In the greased baking dish, add the drained pasta and the bite-size chicken chunks. Pour the creamy lemon pepper sauce evenly over the top. Gently stir everything together so the pasta and chicken are well coated and spread in an even layer.

Dot the top with the small pieces of butter, tucking a few down into the pasta so they melt into the sauce as it bakes. This gives you that extra-rich, creamy texture and helps create the bright, glossy yellow sauce.

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. This lets the chicken cook through gently and the pasta soak up the sauce.

Carefully remove the foil and stir the pasta, making sure the chicken pieces are surrounded by sauce and not sitting dry on top. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (no pink in the center) and the sauce is bubbling and slightly thickened.

Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes after you take it out of the oven. The sauce will thicken a bit more as it cools. Give it one last gentle stir, taste, and add a little extra black pepper if you like that classic lemon-pepper kick.

Spoon the creamy lemon pepper pasta and chicken into a ceramic serving bowl for that cozy, family-style feel. The sauce should be bright yellow and silky, clinging to the pasta with plenty of seasoned chicken chunks throughout.

For picky eaters, you can cut the chicken extra small so it blends in more with the pasta, or even shred leftover rotisserie chicken and stir it in during the last 10 minutes of baking so it stays very tender. If your family isn’t big on strong lemon flavor, choose a milder creamy lemon pepper sauce or mix the sauce with a splash of milk to soften the tang. For extra veggies without much effort, stir in a cup of frozen peas or broccoli florets with the pasta and chicken before baking. If you like a little crunch on top, sprinkle a handful of breadcrumbs (or crushed buttery crackers) over the pasta for the last 10 minutes of baking. To make it feel a bit fancier for company, garnish with a few lemon wedges and a good grind of black pepper right before serving. Leftovers reheat well with a spoonful of water or milk stirred in before microwaving to bring the sauce back to its creamy, bright yellow goodness.