Description
There’s nothing quite like a comforting, cheesy pasta bake to warm the soul and satisfy your cravings. Enter the irresistible Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake – a dish that combines the rich flavors of garlic, Parmesan, and tender chicken in a creamy, indulgent pasta casserole. This easy-to-make recipe is sure to become a new family favorite, perfect for weeknight dinners or cozy weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add butter to the pan, let it melt, and whisk in flour to create a roux. Cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly until the mixture thickens.
- Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until the sauce is smooth.
- In a large baking dish, combine the cooked penne pasta, shredded chicken, and creamy Parmesan sauce, stirring until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the pasta; it will continue to cook in the oven.
- Feel free to adjust the amounts of cheese to your preference.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking.
- To reheat leftovers, add a splash of milk or cream to keep the sauce creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg