A cheesy, creamy pasta bake loaded with tender chicken and tossed in a homemade Alfredo sauce. This one's total comfort food and easy enough for a Tuesday night. Serve it straight from the oven for a warm, filling family dinner everyone will be into.
Get prepped: Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Season the chicken with salt and pepper
12 ounces pasta
Cook the chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove to a plate.
Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in the flour and whisk for 1 minute. Slowly pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly until smooth and slightly thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
2 tablespoons butter, 4 garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 2 cups milk, 1 cup heavy cream
Add the cheese: Stir in parmesan, 1 cup of the mozzarella, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese, 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Assemble and bake: In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, and sauce. Mix well, then transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella.
Bake: Bake for 20–25 minutes or until bubbly and golden. Let rest a few minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if using.
Chopped parsley
Notes
Don’t overcook the pasta - you want it just al dente since it’ll keep cooking in the oven.
Want more garlic? Add an extra clove or two.
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce if you like a little kick.
To lighten it up, use half-and-half instead of cream.
Swap in cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to help it set.
Cover with foil for the first 15 minutes if you want it extra creamy.
Double the recipe and freeze one for a future dinner emergency.