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This Chicken Alfredo Bake is insanely delicious. Baked penne pasta smothered in creamy alfredo sauce and loaded with mozzarella and cream cheese… need I say more?
What is Chicken Alfredo Bake
Chicken Alfredo Bake is similar to the traditional chicken alfredo pasta, but baked in a casserole dish.
We love this dish for so many reasons. First, alfredo sauce is one of my kids favorite pasta dishes. Second, I can make a big batch of this in the afternoon and throw it in the oven right before we are ready to eat! Finally, leftovers! There are always leftovers and they make a great lunch the next day or dinner another night during the week!
To Make Chicken Alfredo Casserole
You’ll start out exactly as if you were making a regular alfredo. First, making the noodles. Next, making the sauce and chicken. Then, you’ll put it all together to bake it in the oven!
It’s that simple, and in no time you’ll have a delicious, cheesy casserole that your family will go crazy for. Continue reading to see the exact instructions as well as ingredients you’ll need to make this awesome supper dish!
Chicken Alfredo Bake Ingredients
Here are the ingredients that you’ll need to make your Chicken Alfredo Bake. It’s a rather long list, but don’t let that scare you! I bet you’ll have quite a few of these items in the house already!
- 16 ounces of penne rigata pasta
- 6 tablespoons of butter
- 3 teaspoons garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- Salt to taste
- 2-3 chicken breasts, cooked and diced
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
CHEATERS TIP: If you are looking for a shortcut, you can opt-out of making your own sauce and use a jar of alfredo sauce!
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Bake
Cook the Pasta
First things first, you need pasta. Follow the directions on the box. You can pick and shape or style, but we like to use penne pasta for our alfredo bake. I recommend preparing it al dente as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven.
Prepare the Chicken
You can make a fresh chicken breast or make it easy and use already prepared chicken. Just cut it up in chunks and set it aside for now!
Make the Sauce
You have two options here, cheat with a jarred sauce or use our recipe below to prepare a delicious homemade alfredo sauce! We also have a great recipe for a copycat Olive Garden Alfredo Sauce if you really want to shake things up! Now, add in the mozzarella and cream cheese and stir to combine and melt the cheese. Then, add salt to taste.
Mix it all Together
Now it is time to combine the pasta, chicken and sauce together and bake it in a 9×13 baking dish for about 15-20 minutes. I know my casserole is done when the top browns slightly and the sauce is bubbling hot.
Remove from oven and sprinkle with parmesan cheese on the top.
Garnish with parsley (if desired) and serve.
Making Chicken Alfredo Bake In Advance
I know I have mentioned how much I love this recipe for its easiness, but what if I told you it can get even easier? I love to make this recipe in advance, freeze it, and pop it in the oven on the night when I’m ready to serve it. This saves me even more time on busy school nights.
If you want to make it in advance and freeze it for later you have a couple of options. You can follow all of the instructions above, and freeze it after baking. Then, when you’re ready to serve it you simply let it thaw and reheat it in the microwave or oven.
Alternatively, you can follow all instructions up until the point of baking and freeze it unbaked. Then when you are ready to serve it, you will want to let it thaw and follow the instructions from the point of baking until the end.
How to store Chicken Alfredo Bake
If you make it in advance you can store it in the freezer until you are ready to serve! Another option is to make this one day in advance and simply store it in the fridge overnight, and bake it the next day!
As for the leftovers, you can simply put a lid on it or put tin foil over the pan and store it in the fridge.
What to Serve with Chicken Alfredo Bake
There are so many great options that pair well with this Chicken Alfredo Bake! I love to make yummy garlic bread or our Easy Cheese Stuffed Garlic Rolls rolls as a bread option.
Another great addition to this dish is to start out with a garden salad or to pair some roasted veggies or green beans on the side.
More Casserole Recipes You’ll Love
- Easy Taco Bake Casserole
- Tater Tot Casserole
- The Best Baked Mac and Cheese
- Easy Stuffed Shells Recipe
- One Pot Pasta
- Creamy Beef and Shells
- The BEST Chicken Enchiladas
- Hamburger Casserole
- Dorito Casserole
- Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
Chicken Alfredo Bake
Baked penne pasta smothered in creamy alfredo sauce and loaded with mozzarella and cream cheese. Perfect for a make-ahead weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces penne rigata pasta
- 2-3 chicken breasts (cooked and diced)
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 cups heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded parmesan cheese (divided)
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- Salt to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
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Prepare the pasta per package directions (I recommend preparing it al dente as the pasta will continue to cook in the oven).
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Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pan over medium heat. Add in the garlic, onion powder, Italian seasoning, pepper, cream and 1 cup of parmesan cheese. Stir this all together to combine it well and to melt the cheese.
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Let the sauce simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until it has thickened. Make sure to stir it frequently to avoid burning. Once it has thickened you can remove the sauce from the heat.
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Now, add in the mozzarella and cream cheese and stir to combine and melt the cheese. Then, add salt to taste.
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Drain the pasta and add it into the pot with the sauce. You can also add the diced chicken to the sauce and stir to mix well.
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Pour pasta and sauce mixture into a 9x13 casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
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Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the top browns slightly and the sauce is bubbling.
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Remove from oven and sprinkle with remaining ½ cup of parmesan cheese on the top.
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Garnish with parsley (if desireand serve.
Nutrition per serving
This Chicken Alfredo Casserole recipe is a lifesaver. It is just so easy and the whole family absolutely loves it. Throwing this together on a busy night at home means we can still have a hearty and delicious family dinner!
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