Description
This Cheese Chicken Alfredo Bake is a creamy, cheesy pasta casserole featuring tender chicken, a rich Alfredo sauce made with Parmesan and mozzarella, and a crunchy breadcrumb topping. Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner, this comforting American main course is baked to golden perfection, delivering a hearty, delicious meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Toppings and Garnish
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (optional topping)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté garlic: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Make the roux: Add the butter to the skillet and let it melt. Sprinkle the flour over the melted butter and whisk continuously. Cook the roux for 1 to 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
- Create Alfredo sauce: Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly. Continue cooking for 5 to 7 minutes until the sauce thickens smoothly.
- Add cheese and seasonings: Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese. Season the sauce with Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Combine pasta and chicken with sauce: Add the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the sauce, stirring to combine thoroughly.
- Prepare for baking: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour in the pasta mixture. Evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top. If desired, add the seasoned breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley if using, then serve hot.
Notes
- For a shortcut, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking your own.
- Any short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni can be substituted.
- Assemble the dish ahead of time, refrigerate, and bake when ready for convenience.
- For extra richness, stir in a dollop of cream cheese to the sauce while cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
