Description
This creamy Chicken Alfredo Bake is a comforting and delicious family dinner featuring tender cooked chicken, penne pasta, and a rich homemade Alfredo sauce baked to bubbly perfection with mozzarella cheese. It’s a perfect blend of cheesy goodness and savory flavors, easy to prepare and satisfying for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
- 12 oz penne pasta, cooked al dente
Sauce and Toppings
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect baking temperature while you prepare the dish.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until it becomes fragrant but not browned, which will infuse the oil with a rich flavor.
- Create the Alfredo sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and whole milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Continue stirring until the sauce becomes smooth and slightly thickened to coat the chicken perfectly.
- Add the chicken: Mix the cooked chicken into the sauce, stirring gently to ensure every piece is coated with the creamy Alfredo sauce for rich flavor.
- Combine pasta and sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta with the chicken Alfredo mixture. Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese to add gooey richness to the dish.
- Prepare for baking: Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese evenly over the top for a golden, cheesy crust.
- Bake: Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown, signaling that the dish is heated through and ready.
- Rest and garnish: Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after baking to set slightly, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired for a fresh, colorful finish before serving.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience and to save time.
- Adding steamed broccoli or spinach makes this dish more nutritious with extra vegetables.
- Substitute gluten-free pasta if you need the dish to be gluten-free friendly.
