Creamy Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Ultimate
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.
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Large skillet
- Large pot
- Saucepan or Dutch oven
- Whisk
- 9x13 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 9x13 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.