Description
This Chicken Alfredo Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta dish featuring tender chicken, rich Alfredo sauce, and gooey mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it combines classic flavors in a hearty casserole that is easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the pasta and chicken:
- 16 ounce box penne pasta
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups cubed chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- salt and pepper, to taste
For the sauce:
- 2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
- 8 ounce block cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and garnish:
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (divided)
- Chopped fresh parsley or dried parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Season the cubed chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine Alfredo sauce, softened cream cheese, whole milk, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Combine pasta, chicken, and sauce: Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce mixture. Stir until evenly coated.
- Add cheeses: Stir in 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy this creamy, cheesy casserole.
Notes
- Feel free to substitute cooked shredded chicken or cooked turkey for variation.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
- To make ahead, assemble the casserole without the final cheese topping and refrigerate. Add cheese and bake when ready.
- You can add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 1/8 of casserole)
- Calories: 585 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 33 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg
