Easy Chicken Alfredo Bake
A creamy, dreamy, and incredibly satisfying pasta dish that comes together in under an hour. This Chicken Alfredo Bake features tender pasta, succulent chicken, and a rich, velvety Alfredo sauce baked to golden perfection. It's the ultimate weeknight comfort food for the whole family.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces Penne Pasta (or other short pasta shape)
- 3 cups Diced Cooked Chicken (rotisserie, grilled, or pan-fried)
- 3 tablespoons Butter
- 2 tablespoons All-purpose Flour
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Whole Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon Nutmeg (optional)
- 1 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese, divided
- 1 cup Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook penne pasta in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet or pot, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream until smooth.
- Bring the sauce to a simmer, whisking constantly, until it thickens. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using).
- Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.
- Add the cooked penne pasta and diced cooked chicken to the sauce. Stir to combine.
- Pour the pasta mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Top with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese and shredded mozzarella (if using).
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a lighter sauce, you can use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, but the sauce may be thinner.
If using unsalted butter, adjust salt to taste.
Garlic powder can be substituted for fresh garlic if necessary (about 1/2 teaspoon).
This bake is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
If using unsalted butter, adjust salt to taste.
Garlic powder can be substituted for fresh garlic if necessary (about 1/2 teaspoon).
This bake is best served fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the oven.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 30gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 120mgSodium: 700mgFiber: 2gSugar: 8g
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