Irresistible Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe

Weeknight dinners demand a hearty, satisfying solution like this cheesy garlic parmesan chicken pasta bake that promises pure comfort.

Creamy pasta intertwines with tender chicken in a dish packed with bold flavors.

Layers of melted cheese create an irresistible golden crust that beckons everyone to the table.

Herbs and garlic weave through each bite, delivering a rich and aromatic experience.

The combination of crispy edges and soft, cheesy center makes this recipe a crowd-pleaser.

Pasta nights just got an upgrade with this simple yet impressive meal that comes together effortlessly.

Prepare to savor every delicious forkful of this ultimate comfort food masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 675 kcal

Servings: 6

Garlic Parmesan Pasta Bake Ingredient Guide

• Pasta: Provides the hearty foundation, choose a shape that captures sauce well like penne or rotini.
• Chicken: Lean protein that adds substance, select boneless skinless for easiest preparation.

• Olive Oil, Butter: Creates rich flavor base and helps ingredients sauté smoothly.
• Garlic: Delivers intense aromatic punch, look for firm, unblemished cloves for maximum flavor.
• Flour: Thickens sauce and creates silky texture, use all-purpose for consistent results.
• Milk, Chicken Broth: Builds creamy liquid foundation, opt for low-sodium versions to control saltiness.
• Italian Seasoning, Red Pepper Flakes: Adds complex herbal notes and optional subtle heat.

• Parmesan Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese: Provides melty, stretchy topping with sharp and mild flavor profiles.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall taste, use freshly ground black pepper for maximum impact.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright color and fresh herbaceous finish, choose vibrant green leaves.

Tools That Help with Pasta Bake Layers

• Large pot: Essential for boiling pasta perfectly and creating enough space for water.
• Skillet: Crucial for cooking chicken and preparing the creamy garlic Parmesan sauce.
• Whisk: Perfect for blending flour, making smooth roux, and preventing sauce lumps.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Ideal for assembling and baking the entire pasta casserole.
• Cutting board: Needed for dicing chicken and chopping fresh parsley.
• Knife: Sharp tool for precise ingredient preparation.
• Colander: Handy for draining cooked pasta quickly and efficiently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Important for accurate ingredient measurements.

Assemble a Cheesy Garlic Pasta Bake Easily

• Fire Up the Pasta Water

Bring a big pot of salty water to a rolling boil and cook your pasta until it’s perfectly tender. Drain and set aside while you get ready for some serious flavor.

• Transform the Chicken

Sizzle some olive oil in a skillet and cook your chicken pieces until they’re golden and fully done. Season with a sprinkle of salt and pepper to wake up those taste buds.

• Craft the Creamy Sauce

Melt butter in the same skillet and let minced garlic dance around for a minute. Dust in some flour and whisk it into a smooth base. Slowly pour in milk and chicken broth, stirring constantly to create a velvety sauce. Toss in Italian seasoning, a dash of red pepper flakes, and a generous handful of Parmesan cheese. Stir until it’s silky and irresistible.

• Layer the Deliciousness

Mix the cooked chicken and pasta into your dreamy sauce. Pour everything into a baking dish and shower it with mozzarella and more Parmesan cheese.

• Bake to Bubbly Perfection

Slide the dish into a preheated oven and let it transform for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling with excitement.

• Serve and Celebrate

Sprinkle some fresh parsley on top and bring this mouthwatering creation to the table. Grab some garlic bread or a crisp salad on the side for the ultimate comfort meal.

Tips That Add Bold Garlic Flavor

• Prepare the entire dish up to the baking step, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to serve, bake directly from the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time.
• Replace chicken with turkey, shrimp, or plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas for a versatile meal that suits different dietary preferences.
• Use gluten-free pasta and replace all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make this recipe celiac-friendly without compromising flavor.
• Adjust the red pepper flakes to match your heat tolerance – use a pinch for mild warmth or increase for a spicier kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Stir in roasted vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach before baking to add extra nutrition and create a more robust one-dish meal.

Serve Pasta Bake Right from the Oven

• Crisp Salad Companion: Toss together a light mixed green salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy pasta dish.
• Garlic Bread Sidekick: Whip up some quick garlic bread by spreading garlic butter on crusty bread slices and toasting until golden brown, perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
• Wine Pairing Pleasure: Serve with a chilled glass of crisp white wine like Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the garlic and Parmesan flavors, enhancing the overall dining experience.
• Fresh Herb Finale: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh parsley or basil on top just before serving to add a burst of color and bright, fresh flavor to the creamy chicken pasta bake.

Storing Pasta Bake Without Losing Texture

• Cool the pasta dish completely at room temperature before storing. Spread it in a shallow container to help heat dissipate faster and prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer the chicken pasta bake to an airtight container. Sealed properly, it will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Keep the container's seal tight to maintain flavor and prevent moisture loss.
• Wrap the baked dish tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm individual portions in the microwave, covering with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. For larger servings, reheat in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth to keep the pasta from drying out and restore its creamy texture.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of pasta for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute the pasta with other shapes like penne, rigatoni, or fusilli. Just ensure the pasta is cooked al dente to maintain the right texture in the final dish.

• Is it possible to make this dish gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use gluten-free pasta and replace regular flour with a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch when making the sauce. This will help you create a similar creamy consistency without gluten.

• How can I make the chicken more flavorful?

Try marinating the chicken in olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs for 30 minutes before cooking. This will enhance the overall flavor profile of the dish and make the chicken more tender and delicious.

• Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the entire dish and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time if you’re cooking it directly from the refrigerator.

Cheesy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake blends Italian comfort with creamy, cheesy goodness. Simple ingredients create a hearty meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2–3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, diced
• 1 ½ cups (150 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup (100 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini)
• 2 ½ cups (600 ml) milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tbsps butter
• 3 tbsps all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Pasta Preparation: Bring salted water to a rolling boil and cook pasta until perfectly al dente. Drain and set aside, preserving the pasta’s ideal texture.
2. Chicken Transformation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, introduce diced chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden and thoroughly cooked, creating a flavorful protein base.
3. Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic, releasing its intense fragrance. Sprinkle flour to create a smooth, velvety roux that will anchor the sauce.
4. Sauce Alchemy: Slowly pour milk and chicken broth into the skillet, whisking constantly to develop a luxurious, creamy consistency. Simmer until the sauce thickens and becomes silky smooth.
5. Flavor Elevation: Incorporate Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese into the sauce. Stir until the mixture becomes uniformly rich and well-integrated, adjusting seasonings as needed.
6. Culinary Assembly: Combine cooked chicken and pasta within the creamy sauce, ensuring every morsel is lavishly coated. Transfer the decadent mixture to a prepared baking dish.
7. Cheese Crescendo: Liberally distribute mozzarella and additional Parmesan across the top, creating an enticing golden-brown cheese blanket.
8. Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated oven until the cheese melts into a bubbling, molten masterpiece with crispy edges, approximately 20-25 minutes.
9. Final Flourish: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve immediately, accompanied by a crisp green salad or crusty garlic bread to complete this comforting culinary experience.

Notes

• Pasta Perfection: Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushiness, as it will continue cooking during baking.
• Chicken Browning Technique: Ensure chicken is golden and fully cooked before removing from skillet to develop rich, caramelized flavor.
• Sauce Smoothness Hack: Whisk continuously when adding milk and broth to prevent lumps and create a silky, creamy sauce.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Let cheese completely melt and bubble for maximum flavor and attractive golden-brown top, watching carefully to avoid burning.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 500
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 50 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg