Description

This Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious dish featuring tender rotini pasta combined with savory cooked chicken, rich Alfredo and garlic Parmesan sauces, and a cheesy mozzarella and Parmesan topping. Baked to perfection with a bubbly, golden crust, it’s an easy-to-make meal perfect for family dinners or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Chicken

1 pound rotini pasta
3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded

Sauces

2 jars (15 ounces each) Alfredo sauce
1 cup garlic Parmesan sauce

Cheeses

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Garnish

½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, optional)

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
Mix Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked rotini pasta, diced or shredded cooked chicken, Alfredo sauce, garlic Parmesan sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper. Add about ½ cup of the reserved pasta water if the mixture is too thick for better consistency.
Assemble in Baking Dish: Transfer the pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Top with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses to ensure a gooey cheesy crust.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts and the dish becomes bubbly.
Broil for Crispiness: For a golden and crispy cheese topping, remove the foil and broil for an additional 2-3 minutes, keeping a close watch to prevent burning.
Rest and Garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm for a comforting meal.

Notes

If the sauce mixture is too thick after combining, adding reserved pasta water gradually helps achieve a creamy consistency without watering down flavor.
You can substitute rotini pasta with other short pasta shapes like penne or rigatoni based on preference.
Using pre-cooked or leftover rotisserie chicken speeds up preparation time.
Covering the dish while baking prevents the pasta from drying out, while broiling at the end gives a nice cheese crust.
Fresh parsley garnish adds a bright, fresh flavor and pleasant color contrast.
This dish reheats well in the oven or microwave, making it suitable for meal prep and leftovers.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Pasta Bake
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American-Italian