Description
Indulge in the comforting flavors of Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake, a creamy and spicy baked pasta dish that’s perfect for a cozy dinner with a touch of Southern flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta:
- 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
Chicken:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
Vegetables:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce:
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and black pepper to taste
Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- chopped parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté the chicken: Season and sauté the chicken until cooked through and browned.
- Cook vegetables: Sauté onion, bell pepper, and garlic in the skillet.
- Make the sauce: Melt cream cheese, then add broth, cream, Parmesan, salt, and pepper.
- Combine and bake: Mix chicken, sauce, and pasta in a baking dish. Top with mozzarella and bake.
- Garnish and serve: Garnish with parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Add red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Leftovers reheat well the next day.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 610
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 135 mg
