Chicken Alfredo Bake (Printable)

Comforting pasta casserole with chicken, creamy sauce, and golden melted cheese topping.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Alfredo Sauce

06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
09 - 2 cups whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Cheese Topping

14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente, then drain well.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook for 5–7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to form a roux.
05 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking continuously for 3–4 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and nutmeg until cheese melts completely and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
07 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, seasoned chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Toss thoroughly until pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
08 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese uniformly across the top.
09 - Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is fully melted, bubbly, and develops golden brown spots on top.
10 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley as a finishing garnish.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything bakes together in one dish, meaning minimal cleanup and maximum flavor
  • The homemade Alfredo sauce is infinitely better than jarred versions and comes together in minutes
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for an even better lunch the next day
02 -
  • Letting the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving is crucial because the sauce needs time to set up slightly
  • Overcooking the pasta initially is a common mistake since it continues cooking in the oven
  • The sauce might look thin at first but thickens beautifully during baking
03 -
  • Grate your own cheese because pre-shredded varieties contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting
  • Warm your milk slightly before adding it to the roux to prevent lumps from forming
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