Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake. Perfectly cooked pasta, tender shredded chicken, and a rich, creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce come together under a layer of melted mozzarella. Ideal for cozy family dinners or feeding a crowd.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Cook the Pasta:
Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Make the Sauce:
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté garlic, whisk in flour, then gradually add milk, broth, and cream. Simmer until thickened. - Add Seasonings and Cheese:
Stir in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella. Season with salt and pepper. - Combine Pasta and Chicken:
Mix the cooked pasta and shredded chicken with the creamy sauce. - Assemble and Bake:
Spread mixture in the baking dish, top with remaining mozzarella, and bake for 20-25 minutes. - Broil and Serve:
Optional: broil for 2-3 minutes for a crispy top. Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use rotisserie chicken.
- Substitute penne with any short pasta, like ziti or farfalle.
- Add steamed broccoli or spinach for a veggie-packed version.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion (approximately 1/6 of the dish)
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg
Keywords: Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake, cheesy chicken bake, easy pasta recipe, chicken casserole, garlic Parmesan sauce