Description
Creamy chicken alfredo pasta bake delivers comfort straight from Italian kitchens to dinner tables. Cheesy layers of tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and rich sauce create a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta (penne or rotini)
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) Alfredo sauce
Cheese:
- 1 cup (240 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup (50 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a gentle 350°F and lightly coat a rectangular baking vessel with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Immerse pasta in boiling water, cooking until tender and achieving an al dente texture. Carefully drain and set aside in a spacious mixing bowl.
- Shred the roasted chicken into bite-sized fragments, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent flavor distribution.
- Merge the pasta with tender chicken, creamy Alfredo sauce, aromatic garlic powder, and a balanced blend of salt and pepper. Gently fold ingredients to create a harmonious mixture.
- Transfer the combined ingredients into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
- Generously sprinkle a luxurious layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the surface, creating a golden, melting blanket.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25-30 minutes, watching for the cheese to transform into a bubbling, bronzed crown.
- Once removed, allow the casserole to rest briefly, then embellish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finishing touch.
- Serve immediately while the cheese remains gloriously molten and the flavors are at their peak.
Notes
- Customize the pasta type by using gluten-free or whole wheat options to suit different dietary needs and preferences.
- Enhance protein content by adding extra shredded rotisserie chicken or mixing in cooked bacon bits for additional flavor complexity.
- Boost vegetable intake by incorporating sautéed spinach, roasted bell peppers, or steamed broccoli florets into the pasta mixture for added nutrition and color.
- Create a lighter version by using low-fat cheese and substituting part of the Alfredo sauce with Greek yogurt to reduce overall calorie content.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg