Description
This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake is a rich and creamy dish that’s perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings. It features tender chicken mixed with garlic-infused parmesan cream sauce, all baked to perfection with a golden, cheesy topping. With just a few simple ingredients like pasta, chicken, garlic, and parmesan, this recipe delivers big on flavor and is sure to satisfy everyone at the table. The dish is easy to customize with different cheeses, proteins, or even vegetables, making it a versatile choice for various dietary preferences. Perfect for weeknights when you want a comforting, hearty meal without too much fuss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound rotini pasta, cooked and drained (reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup garlic parmesan sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced or shredded chicken, Alfredo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper. If the mixture seems too thick, add about 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water.
Assemble: Transfer the creamy pasta and chicken mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Add Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the pasta.
Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Broil for Finish: Optionally, for a golden brown top, remove the foil and broil the pasta bake for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
Cool and Serve: Allow the pasta bake to cool for about 5 minutes before garnishing with freshly chopped parsley, if using. Serve warm.
Notes
- Chicken options: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work best. Thighs tend to stay juicier, but breasts are leaner and equally delicious.
- Pasta choices: Use a sturdy pasta shape like penne, rigatoni, or rotini to ensure the sauce clings well to each piece.
- Cheese tip: Freshly grated parmesan is ideal for a smoother, richer sauce compared to pre-shredded cheese, which can be grainy due to anti-caking agents.
- Garlic flavor: For a stronger garlic punch, increase the number of cloves, or use roasted garlic for a milder, sweeter flavor.
- Customizations: You can easily swap out the chicken for vegetables (like mushrooms or spinach) or use other proteins like shrimp or sausage. This dish also works well with mozzarella or cheddar cheese.
- Meal prep: This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated or frozen before baking. Just make sure to cover it well to retain moisture.