Description
A comforting and delicious dish that combines garlic, chicken, and cheese in a hearty pasta bake, perfect for family dinners or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie works great!)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (divided)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
- Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to create a roux. Gradually pour in the milk and chicken broth, whisking constantly until smooth. Cook until the sauce thickens (about 3-4 minutes).
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and shredded chicken to the sauce. Toss to coat everything evenly.
- Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden on top.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving. Enjoy warm!
Notes
To store leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 46g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: pasta bake, chicken, garlic, parmesan, comfort food, easy dinner