Description
This Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting casserole made with tender penne pasta, juicy chicken, a homemade garlic cream sauce, and lots of melty mozzarella and parmesan. It’s perfect for busy weeknights or hearty family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced or diced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven broiler to HIGH.
- Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- Add garlic to the pot and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
- Stir in heavy cream, parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until cheese melts and sauce thickens, about 8 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the pot and stir to coat.
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Top with remaining mozzarella and broil for 6–10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Use leftover or rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Stir in vegetables like broccoli, peas, or mushrooms for added nutrition.
- Swap in a jar of store-bought alfredo sauce if short on time.
- Mix in provolone or fontina for extra melty flavor.
- Freeze before baking for a make-ahead meal option.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 750mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 43g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
