Description
Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake is a creamy, comforting Italian-inspired casserole featuring tender shredded chicken, al dente penne, a garlicky Parmesan sauce, and a melty mozzarella crust, finished with buttered breadcrumbs for a golden, bubbly bake.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded (or use rotisserie chicken)
- 3 tbsp butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2½ cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1½ cups grated Parmesan cheese
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- Optional: chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Whisk in flour and cook for another minute to form a roux. Gradually add milk and cream, whisking until smooth and thickened.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce, mixing until evenly coated.
- Pour mixture into the baking dish, top with mozzarella cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Can substitute rotisserie chicken to save time.
- For a lighter version, use part-skim mozzarella and reduced-fat milk.
- Assemble ahead and refrigerate before baking; add 5–10 minutes to bake time.
- Leftovers refrigerate 3–4 days and reheat well.
- Garnish with chopped parsley for color and freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Pasta
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 850
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 44 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 86 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg
Keywords: Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake, creamy pasta bake, chicken pasta bake, penne pasta, garlic parmesan sauce, mozzarella, Italian comfort food, family dinner