Description
Creamy chicken alfredo casserole combines comforting pasta layers with rich, cheesy goodness. Hearty Italian-inspired flavors meld perfectly, promising a delightful meal you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3 cups (708 milliliters) cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1/4 cup (59 milliliters) cooked bacon, crumbled (optional)
Cheese and Dairy:
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups (170 grams) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups (473 milliliters) heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) pasta
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt, to taste
- 1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (optional)
- Fresh parsley or basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 375°F, preparing a greased baking dish for the casserole.
- Prepare pasta to al dente texture according to package guidelines, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Create a rich sauce by melting butter in a saucepan over medium heat, adding minced garlic and cooking until aromatic.
- Incorporate Alfredo sauce and heavy cream into the garlic butter, seasoning with Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine cooked chicken, prepared pasta, and the creamy Alfredo sauce in a large mixing bowl, ensuring every piece is evenly coated with the sauce.
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top of the casserole, creating a complete cheese coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden-brown crust.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Customize pasta texture by cooking slightly less than package instructions for a firmer bite in the casserole.
- Replace heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk to reduce calories without compromising creamy consistency.
- Add roasted vegetables like broccoli or spinach for extra nutrition and color variation in the dish.
- Swap chicken with rotisserie chicken to save preparation time and enhance flavor depth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 496 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 381 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg