Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake (Printable)

Tender chicken and penne in creamy garlic-Parmesan sauce, baked under golden melted cheese.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 14 oz penne pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 1.1 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Alfredo Sauce

06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
09 - 2 cups whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

→ Cheese Topping

14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Cook penne pasta in salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook 5-7 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute, stirring constantly to form a roux.
05 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer, whisking continuously for 3-4 minutes until sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan cheese, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and nutmeg until cheese is completely melted and sauce is smooth and creamy.
07 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, seasoned chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Mix thoroughly until pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese across the surface in a uniform layer.
09 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is fully melted, bubbling around edges, and lightly golden in spots. Watch closely to prevent over-browning.
10 - Remove from oven and let rest 5 minutes to allow sauce to set slightly. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley just before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • That moment when you pull it from the oven and the cheese is still bubbling like a tiny volcanic wonderland
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better after everything has had time to mingle and get cozy overnight
02 -
  • Do not rinse your pasta after draining, the starch helps the sauce stick better than any glue could
  • If your sauce seems too thick, add warm milk a splash at a time until it loosens up
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan from a wedge, the pre-grated stuff has coatings that prevent smooth melting
  • Room temperature ingredients combine better, so take your milk and cream out while you prep everything else
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