Description
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake is a creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish perfect for family dinners. Tender penne pasta is combined with garlic-sautéed chicken and enveloped in a rich Parmesan cream sauce, then baked to golden perfection with a mozzarella and breadcrumb topping for that irresistible crispy crust.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the penne pasta in salted water according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté Garlic and Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in the cooked chicken to warm and combine, then remove from heat.
- Make the Cream Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in milk and heavy cream, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens, about 5–7 minutes.
- Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir grated Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the thickened sauce until smooth and creamy.
- Mix Pasta and Chicken with Sauce: Add the garlic chicken mixture and cooked pasta to the sauce, stirring gently to coat everything evenly.
- Assemble and Top: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. If desired, add seasoned breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly and golden on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with chopped parsley if using, and serve warm.
Notes
- For a quicker option, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken yourself.
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or steamed broccoli to the pasta mixture to increase nutrition and flavor.
- For an extra crispy topping, broil the dish for 2–3 minutes after baking, watching carefully to avoid burning.
