Description
This Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake is a creamy, comforting pasta casserole featuring tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and a golden mozzarella topping. Perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner, it combines penne pasta with a luscious blend of heavy cream, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, seasoned with garlic and Italian herbs. Optional peas add a touch of color and freshness, while a sprinkle of parsley on top finishes off this crowd-pleasing dish.
Ingredients
Scale
pasta and chicken
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
sauce and seasoning
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas (optional)
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, then drain thoroughly.
- Make Alfredo sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, add minced garlic, and cook until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and whole milk, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add grated Parmesan, 1 cup mozzarella, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; stir continuously until the cheeses melt and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Combine pasta, chicken, and peas: Add the cooked pasta, diced or shredded chicken, and frozen peas (if using) to the sauce, stirring well to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble bake: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and lightly golden brown on top.
- Rest and garnish: Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired for a fresh finish.
Notes
- For extra flavor, add cooked bacon or sun-dried tomatoes into the pasta mixture before baking.
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience and time-saving.
- If you prefer a thicker Alfredo sauce, simmer it an additional 2 to 3 minutes before adding the pasta.
