The Ultimate Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe For Families

Crafting a delectable garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake brings comfort to your dinner table.

Creamy cheese and tender chicken create a harmonious blend of flavors that dance across your palate.

Weeknight meals demand something special, and this recipe delivers pure satisfaction.

Home cooks appreciate simple ingredients that combine into something extraordinary.

Aromatic garlic weaves magic through each cheesy, golden-crusted bite.

Pasta lovers will adore this hearty dish that promises warmth and delight.

You’ll find yourself craving every single forkful of this irresistible meal.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Offers Cheesy Perfection

• Whip Up Quick Comfort: Effortless weeknight dinner that transforms simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing meal in under 45 minutes.
• Crowd-Pleasing Versatility: Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or casual gatherings where everyone craves cheesy, creamy pasta goodness.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimizes kitchen cleanup with a straightforward cooking method that goes from stovetop directly to oven, saving time and reducing dish washing.
• Beginner-Friendly Cooking: Requires minimal culinary skills, making it an ideal recipe for home cooks of all experience levels who want delicious results without complex techniques.

Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake Base

• Chicken Breast: Tender, lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the dish.
• Pasta: Hearty base that carries the creamy sauce and provides texture.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Rich, melty cheeses that create a luxurious, golden-brown topping and add depth of flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Smooth, rich base for creating a velvety sauce.
• Butter: Adds richness and helps create a smooth, creamy texture.

• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that provides a classic, bold flavor profile.
• Olive Oil: Helps sauté ingredients and adds a subtle, fruity undertone.
• Italian Seasoning: Blend of herbs that provides a traditional Mediterranean flavor.
• Black Pepper, Salt: Essential seasonings that balance and enhance overall taste.

• Breadcrumbs: Adds a crunchy, golden texture to the dish's surface.

Chicken Pasta Bake With Garlic Parmesan Steps

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) and get ready for a mouth-watering adventure.

Step 2: Sizzle and Infuse

Warm up a skillet with olive oil and butter.

Toss in minced garlic and let it dance until it releases its aromatic magic.

Step 3: Create Creamy Sauce Perfection

• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Stir until the mixture transforms into a silky smooth sauce.

• Salt
• Black pepper
• Italian seasoning

Step 4: Marry the Chicken and Pasta

Combine pre-cooked chicken and pasta into the skillet, lovingly coating every morsel with the dreamy sauce.

Step 5: Prepare for Baking Bliss

Transfer the entire mixture into a greased baking dish.

• Mozzarella cheese
• Breadcrumbs (optional but recommended)

Step 6: Bake to Golden Deliciousness

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to melt into a bubbly, golden landscape.

Step 7: Serve and Devour

Pull out your masterpiece and serve piping hot.

Prepare for flavor explosions!

Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake Tips For Rich Flavor Every Time

• Roast whole garlic cloves before adding to create a deeper, sweeter flavor profile without harsh raw garlic bite.
• Slightly undercook pasta during initial boiling since it will continue cooking in the oven, preventing mushy results.
• Easily substitute chicken with turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based chicken alternatives for dietary preferences.
• Replace regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free panko or crushed almond flour crackers to maintain crispy topping texture.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream to reduce calories while maintaining a rich, creamy consistency without compromising flavor.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta: Store and Reheat

• Store leftover chicken pasta bake in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil, preserving the dish for up to 2 months without losing flavor or texture.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through, restoring the original delicious taste.
• Place a portion on a microwave-safe plate, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

What To Serve With Chicken Pasta Bake

• Crisp White Wine Companion: Opt for a chilled Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the rich, creamy sauce and complement the garlic's subtle punch.
• Fresh Green Salad Balance: Toss a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a tangy, refreshing contrast against the pasta's hearty, cheesy profile.
• Roasted Vegetable Sidekick: Prepare quick roasted asparagus or Brussels sprouts with olive oil and sea salt to add a vibrant, slightly charred dimension that enhances the dish's depth.
• Crusty Garlic Bread Boost: Serve warm, buttery garlic bread on the side to soak up extra sauce and provide a delightful textural crunch that complements the creamy pasta.

Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake with Chicken Mix-Ups

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace regular pasta with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour for topping. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
• Vegetarian Option: Swap chicken with roasted cauliflower or plant-based chicken substitute. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken-based ingredients for added flavor.
• Low-Carb Alternative: Substitute pasta with zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash. Reduce breadcrumbs and use extra cheese for crunch and texture.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream. Replace dairy cheeses with nutritional yeast or dairy-free cheese alternatives. Choose a plant-based butter substitute for cooking.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of pasta?

Yes, you can swap the pasta. Penne, rotini, or fusilli work great and will hold the creamy sauce well.

• How can I make this dish healthier?

Use whole wheat pasta, Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream, and add extra vegetables like spinach or broccoli to increase nutrition.

• Is it possible to prepare this dish ahead of time?

Absolutely! Assemble the pasta bake, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

• What if I don't have Italian seasoning?

Create a quick substitute by mixing dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary in equal proportions.

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

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4.9 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table with its creamy, cheesy goodness. Layers of tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich sauce will make you crave this hearty meal again and again.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast (cubed or shredded)
• 3 cups cooked pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini)
• 1.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups heavy cream

Seasonings and Aromatics:

• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt

Additional Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs (optional for topping)

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to create an ideal cooking environment at 375°F (190°C), preparing for a delectable pasta transformation.
2. In a spacious skillet, merge olive oil and butter over medium heat, releasing aromatic garlic until its fragrance permeates the kitchen.
3. Pour heavy cream into the skillet, whisking in freshly grated parmesan cheese until the sauce achieves a silky, uniform consistency. Elevate the flavor profile with strategic seasoning of salt, black pepper, and Italian herb blend.
4. Integrate tender, pre-cooked chicken pieces and al dente pasta into the creamy sauce, ensuring each morsel is lavishly coated with the rich, savory mixture.
5. Carefully transfer the combined ingredients to a generously greased baking vessel, creating an inviting culinary canvas.
6. Generously scatter mozzarella cheese across the surface, adding a layer of crispy breadcrumbs for textural contrast and golden-brown appeal.
7. Slide the prepared dish into the preheated oven, allowing the cheese to melt and bubble for 20-25 minutes, transforming the ingredients into a cohesive, irresistible casserole.
8. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest momentarily, allowing flavors to settle before serving this comforting pasta bake piping hot.

Notes

• Use fresh garlic for the most robust flavor, avoiding pre-minced options that can taste flat and less aromatic.
• Experiment with different pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni to add textural variety and visual interest to the dish.
• Consider using rotisserie chicken for a quick time-saving option that adds extra flavor and reduces meal preparation time.
• For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or Greek yogurt to reduce calories while maintaining creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 747
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 750 mg
• Fat: 45 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
• Trans Fat: 1 g
• Carbohydrates: 51 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 145 mg