Chicken Alfredo Casserole (Printable)

Tender chicken meets creamy Alfredo sauce and gooey mozzarella in this easy, comforting baked pasta dish perfect for family dinners.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 12 oz penne or ziti pasta

→ Chicken

02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 cups heavy cream
06 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Cheese Topping

10 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, then drain and set aside.
03 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour heavy cream into the saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Stir continuously until cheese melts completely and sauce achieves smooth consistency.
05 - Add cooked chicken and drained pasta to the Alfredo sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated.
06 - Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Distribute evenly and top with shredded mozzarella cheese in a uniform layer.
07 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbling and golden brown on top.
08 - Remove from oven and let stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy Alfredo sauce soaks into every piece of pasta, making each bite ridiculously satisfying.
  • It's flexible enough to handle whatever cooked chicken or vegetables you have on hand.
  • You can assemble it ahead and bake it right before dinner, saving your evening sanity.
  • The golden, bubbling mozzarella on top is the kind of thing that makes everyone gather around the oven door.
02 -
  • Undercook your pasta by at least a minute, it keeps soaking up liquid in the oven and can turn gummy if it's already fully cooked.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking, it helps the sauce set and makes serving much cleaner.
  • If your sauce looks too thick, add a splash of pasta water or milk before mixing in the chicken and pasta.
03 -
  • Use freshly grated Parmesan instead of the pre-shredded kind, it melts smoother and tastes sharper.
  • A pinch of nutmeg in the Alfredo sauce adds a mysterious warmth that people notice but can't quite name.
  • Don't skip the resting time after baking, it makes serving so much easier and the sauce won't run all over the plate.
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