CREAMY CHEESY CHICKEN PASTA BAKE ULTIMATE

Are you craving a dish that’s the ultimate comfort food hug in a casserole dish? Imagine tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta swimming in a luxuriously creamy, cheesy sauce, baked to golden, bubbly perfection. This Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is exactly what you need tonight, and I promise it’s easier to make than you think!

What You’ll Need: The Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Pasta:

• 1 lb pasta (penne, rotini, or your favorite shape)
• Water for boiling
• Salt for pasta water

For the Creamy Cheese Sauce:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional, but adds a lovely warmth)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup chopped cooked broccoli
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• Breadcrumbs for topping (optional)

Let’s Get Cooking: Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

1. In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the spices.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully cooked and lightly browned. Set aside. Don’t worry about getting a deep sear; we’re going for cooked through!

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
2. Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
3. Drain the pasta well. Don’t overcook it! Remember it will continue to cook in the oven.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Cheese Sauce

1. In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux. This is key to a smooth, lump-free sauce.
3. Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
4. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken.
5. Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and cheesy.
7. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Step 4: Combine and Bake

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and creamy cheese sauce. Gently fold in any optional add-ins like peas, broccoli, or sun-dried tomatoes.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
4. If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top of the pasta bake. This adds a nice crispy texture.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
6. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This is important, trust me! It needs a little time to set.

Pro Tips & Troubleshooting for Pasta Perfection

Preventing a Dry Pasta Bake

One of the biggest fears with pasta bakes is them drying out. Here’s how to avoid that:

• Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Aim for al dente. It will continue cooking in the sauce.
• Plenty of Sauce: Make sure there’s enough sauce to fully coat the pasta and chicken. If it seems a little dry, add a splash more milk.
• Cover It (Sometimes): If you notice the top browning too quickly, loosely cover the dish with foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.

Making it Ahead

This Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is a fantastic make-ahead meal! Assemble the casserole as directed, but don’t bake it. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before baking as directed. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Variations & Substitutions

This recipe is incredibly versatile! Here are a few ideas to customize it to your liking:

• Cheese it Up: Experiment with different cheeses! Gruyere, provolone, or even a little bit of pepper jack would be delicious.
• Add Some Veggies: Roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or eggplant would be a great addition.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a little heat.
• Change the Protein: Use leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked ground turkey instead of chicken breast.
• Pasta Alternatives: Try using gluten-free pasta, or even gnocchi for a fun twist!

More Delicious Pasta Dishes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake, you might also like these other delicious pasta recipes. For a quick and flavorful meal, try this Garlic Parmesan Tortellini. If you’re a fan of creamy sauces, you’ll adore this Boursin Chicken Pasta. And for another baked pasta delight, consider this Chicken Parmesan Casserole. Or, if you are looking for rigatoni based dish, check out Creamy Parmesan Chicken Rigatoni. Looking for more veggie options? You may enjoy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake and Creamy Chicken Spinach Penne.

Final Thoughts: Enjoy the Cheesy Goodness!

There you have it – your new go-to recipe for Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake! This dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or any occasion where you need a comforting and satisfying meal. So, gather your ingredients, put on some music, and get ready to create a pasta masterpiece that your family and friends will absolutely love. Happy baking!

Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Ultimate

Amelia Chen-Morrison

This Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food, featuring tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta in a luxuriously creamy, cheesy sauce. Baked to golden, bubbly perfection, it’s surprisingly easy to make and guaranteed to please.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 650 kcal

Equipment

• Large bowl
• Large skillet
• Large pot
• Saucepan or Dutch oven
• Whisk
• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Oven
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Colander

Ingredients

  

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp paprika
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 lb pasta penne, rotini, or your favorite shape
• Water for boiling pasta
• Salt for pasta water
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 4 cups milk
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp nutmeg optional
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste
• 1 cup frozen peas, thawed optional
• 1 cup chopped cooked broccoli optional
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped optional
• Breadcrumbs for topping optional

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
• In a large bowl, toss the chicken pieces with olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until fully cooked and lightly browned. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Add the pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
• Drain the pasta well.
• In a large saucepan or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat.
• Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
• Slowly pour in the milk, whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
• Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until it starts to thicken.
• Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese and stir until melted and smooth.
• Stir in the cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce is creamy and cheesy.
• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, nutmeg (if using), salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, and creamy cheese sauce. Gently fold in any optional add-ins.
• Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
• If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top of the pasta bake.
• Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
• Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

To prevent a dry pasta bake, don’t overcook the pasta, ensure there’s plenty of sauce, and cover the dish loosely with foil if the top browns too quickly. The pasta bake can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. Experiment with different cheeses, vegetables, or proteins to customize the recipe. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat.