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This Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake is a recipe I stumbled upon years ago and it's become our family's ultimate comfort food. The combination of creamy Alfredo sauce rich Parmesan and tender chicken wrapped in pasta creates pure magic in every bite. It's the kind of dish that fills your kitchen with the most amazing aromas and brings everyone to the table without being called twice.
What Makes This Recipe Special
The beauty of this dish lies in how everything comes together. Each forkful gives you perfectly cooked pasta tender chunks of chicken and that heavenly garlic Parmesan sauce. The best part might be that golden crusty top layer of cheese that forms in the oven. My kids always fight over those crispy edges.
Everything You'll Need
- Pasta: 12 oz of rotini or penne they catch all that amazing sauce in their little ridges.
- Chicken: 2 cups shredded I often use leftover roast chicken or grab a rotisserie chicken when I'm short on time.
- Alfredo Sauce: 2 cups homemade is amazing but store bought works perfectly on busy nights.
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce: 1/2 cup of my special blend with plenty of fresh garlic and good Parmesan.
- Cheese: 1 cup each of mozzarella and Parmesan freshly grated makes all the difference.
- Seasonings: Salt pepper and sometimes red pepper flakes when we want a kick.
- Fresh Parsley: A handful chopped it adds such a lovely fresh touch.
Let's Make It Together
- Get Started
- First things first get your oven warming to 375°F and butter up a 9×13 baking dish.
- Mix and Mingle
- Toss your pasta chicken and both sauces in a big bowl. Add half the cheese mixture and season until it tastes just right.
- Into the Dish
- Pour everything into your baking dish spread it out nicely then shower it with the remaining cheese.
- Bake to Perfection
- Cover with foil and bake until bubbly then let it get golden under the broiler just watch it closely.
- Time to Eat
- Give it a few minutes to settle sprinkle with fresh parsley then dig in while it's hot.
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Make It Your Own
My sister makes this with Italian sausage instead of chicken and it's incredible. Sometimes I throw in handfuls of baby spinach or sautéed mushrooms. The recipe is so forgiving you can really play with different cheeses proteins or veggies depending on what you love or have on hand.
Complete Your Meal
We love serving this with a bright crisp Caesar salad to cut through the richness. My homemade garlic bread never lasts long either everyone loves dunking it in the extra sauce. On special nights I'll open a bottle of Chardonnay for the grown ups it pairs beautifully.
Saving Some for Later
This pasta bake keeps beautifully in the fridge for three days if it lasts that long. When you're ready for leftovers warm them in the oven with a splash of milk to keep everything creamy. You can even freeze portions for up to three months perfect for those busy weeks ahead.
My Best Tips
Don't overcook your pasta it'll keep cooking in the oven. I always grate my cheese fresh pre shredded just doesn't melt the same way. Keep some pasta water handy to thin out the sauce if needed. These little tricks make a good dish great.
Good to Know
While this isn't exactly health food it's got everything you need for a satisfying meal. We balance out the richness by loading up on vegetables on the side. When we're watching calories I'll use whole wheat pasta and light cheese it's still delicious.
Common Questions
You can absolutely prep this ahead just keep it covered in the fridge until you're ready to bake. It works great with gluten free pasta too my celiac friend asks for this recipe all the time. And yes those leftovers might taste even better the next day just add a little milk when reheating.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why reserve pasta water?
The starchy pasta water helps thin the sauce if needed while maintaining a creamy consistency. It's better than using plain water.
- → Can I add vegetables?
Yes, vegetables like spinach, bell peppers, or mushrooms can be added for extra nutrition. Add them before baking.
- → Why cover while baking?
Covering with foil prevents the top from browning too quickly and helps the casserole heat evenly. Remove at the end for browning.
- → Can I make this ahead?
Yes, assemble up to a day ahead and refrigerate. Add extra time when baking from cold and additional sauce if needed.
- → How do I prevent it from drying out?
Make sure there's enough sauce before baking, and cover while baking. Add extra Alfredo sauce if mixture seems dry.
Conclusion
This comforting casserole combines pasta and chicken in a creamy garlic parmesan sauce, topped with melted cheese and baked until golden. Perfect for feeding a crowd.