Description
A creamy, cozy, and hearty baked pasta dish featuring tender chicken and a delicious blend of cheeses. Perfect for weeknight dinners and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded or diced chicken (breasts, thighs, or rotisserie)
- 12 ounces short pasta (penne, rigatoni, shells, or rotini) (Cook 1-2 minutes shy of al dente)
- 2 cups marinara or your favorite tomato sauce (Tomato base)
- 1 cup light Alfredo or homemade cream sauce (Creamy base)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella (Cheese blend)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar (Cheese blend)
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan (Cheese blend)
Seasonings & Aromatics
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- pinch red pepper flakes (Optional for heat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (For sautéing)
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced (Aromatics)
Liquid
- 1/2 cup reserved pasta water or chicken broth (As needed)
Fresh Finish
- basil or parsley for serving (Optional garnish)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375 F and grease a 9 x 13 baking dish.
- Cook pasta in well-salted water until just shy of al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water and drain.
- While pasta cooks, warm olive oil in a skillet, add garlic, and cook for 30 seconds. Stir in tomato sauce and seasonings.
- Add Alfredo sauce, stir until smooth, and taste. Thin with a little reserved pasta water if thick.
- Combine cooked chicken, drained pasta, half of the mozzarella-cheddar mix, and half of the Parmesan in a large bowl.
- Pour the sauce over and fold gently until everything is coated.
Assembly
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the baking dish.
- Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
Baking
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until bubbling. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes if desired to brown the top.
- Rest for 10 minutes before serving for neat slices.
- Finish with fresh basil or parsley.
Notes
Do not overcook pasta. Resting helps set the dish. Sweeten the dish with add-ins like sautéed mushrooms or spinach if desired. For extra texture, add crushed tomatoes instead of some tomato sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American