Description
This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a rich garlic Parmesan sauce baked to bubbly perfection. Ideal for a hearty family dinner or meal prep, it’s loaded with cheese and seasoned with Italian herbs for authentic Italian-American taste.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pasta and Chicken
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
For the Sauce
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
For Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water, cook the penne pasta until al dente according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook chicken for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat, add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Add liquids: Gradually whisk in whole milk, heavy cream, and chicken broth, stirring constantly. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes until sauce thickens smoothly.
- Add cheese and seasoning: Stir in 1 cup Parmesan and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted. If desired, add red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
- Combine pasta and chicken with sauce: Add cooked pasta and chicken into the sauce, stirring gently to coat evenly.
- Assemble and bake: Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and 1/2 cup mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake to finish: Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden brown on top.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top, and serve hot for a creamy, cheesy delight.
Notes
- For extra nutrition, add vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms before baking.
- Leftovers can be reheated in the oven with a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture.
- You can substitute penne with other pasta shapes like rigatoni or fusilli if preferred.
- Adjust seasoning and red pepper flakes to suit your spice tolerance.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
