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Chicken Alfredo Bake

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close up shot of a baking dish of chicken alfredo bake with a spoon
This creamy chicken alfredo bake features a rich, homemade sauce and penne pasta combined with chicken and melted cheese. Add your choice of veggies for a simple dinner the whole family will love.
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Table of Contents
  1. Chicken Alfredo Bake Ingredients
  2. How To Make This Chicken Alfredo Bake Recipe
  3. How To Serve
  4. Storage
  5. More Recipes You’ll Love
  6. JUMP TO RECIPE

This hearty, homemade chicken alfredo bake is made with cooked chicken, tender pasta, gooey cheese, and a rich, creamy sauce for a quick and easy casserole that is perfect for busy weeknights. 

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For more simple comfort food dinner ideas, check out our crockpot baked ziti and chicken bacon ranch casserole.

close up overhead shot of a baking dish full of chicken alfredo bake with a spoon

Chicken Alfredo Bake Ingredients

chicken alfredo bake raw ingredients that are labeled

You’ll need:

  • 16-ounce box penne pasta
  • 5 tablespoons salted butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups mozzarella, shredded, divided
  • 1½ cups parmesan, shredded, divided
  • 2 cups cooked and shredded or chopped boneless skinless chicken breasts

SUBSTITUTIONS AND ADDITIONS

PASTA: Penne is a great pasta for this alfredo bake because it stands up well in baking, but you can substitute another kind of pasta, including ziti, farfalle, large shells, and most other shaped pasta if you have any on hand.

STUFFED PASTA: Want to kick it up a notch? Try using a stuffed pasta like tortellini or ravioli for a really impressive meal. 

ALFREDO SAUCE: You can use a jar of Alfredo sauce in this recipe instead of homemade alfredo sauce and skip steps two and three.

SPICES: If you like extra spice, add crushed red pepper flakes with the black pepper.

VEGGIES: You can also add vegetables to up the nutritional value. Spinach, broccoli florets, zucchini, tomatoes, and mushrooms are all good options for this dish.

CHICKEN: You can use rotisserie chicken for a simple and fast meal. You could also omit the chicken to make this dish vegetarian.

SHRIMP: You could also make this with shrimp. You could do a mix of half chicken and half shrimp or replace all the chicken with shrimp for a seafood only option.

CHEESE: I do recommend shredding your own cheese for this recipe as it melts creamier. Pre-shredded cheese has a coating on it that can make it melt unevenly, resulting in clumps.

How To Make This Chicken Alfredo Bake Recipe

STEP ONE: In a large pot, cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions. Cook it only until it is “al dente,” which means slightly firm and chewy. It will continue to cook and become tender while it bakes. Reserve a little pasta water, then drain and set aside.

STEP TWO: Preheat oven to 350°F.

STEP THREE: Melt butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.

STEP FOUR: Whisk in the cream cheese to the melted butter.

chicken alfredo bake process shot of ingredients being whisked in a pot

STEP FIVE: Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Continue to whisk until the cheese is fully melted and all ingredients are incorporated.

chicken alfredo bake process shot of seasonings being whisked in a pot

STEP SIX: Add the flour and mix it in well, then pour in one cup of heavy cream at a time, followed by the milk, stirring well after each addition. 

chicken alfredo bake process shot of ingredients combined in a pot

STEP SEVEN: Add one cup each of mozzarella and parmesan cheese, continuing to stir until they melt.

PRO TIP:

To help make your sauce extra creamy, allow your cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.

chicken alfredo bake process shot of mozzarella added to the pot

STEP EIGHT: Once melted, add the chicken and pasta, coating them thoroughly with the sauce. 

PRO TIP:

Is your sauce too thick? Add in some of the pasta water that you set aside. That will thin out the sauce and help it coat the pasta more evenly.

chicken alfredo bake process shot of chicken alfredo being combined in a pot

STEP NINE: Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased 9×13 pan or casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes, just long enough to melt the cheese. 

PRO TIP:

If you like browned, bubbly cheese, turn on the broiler for a minute or two once the dish is finished baking.

chicken alfredo bake process shot of pasta topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese then baked

How To Serve

Serve this cheesy chicken alfredo pasta bake with crusty bread or garlic bread and a salad, like simple homemade Caesar salad, for an easy but flavorful Italian dinner.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover chicken alfredo casserole covered in the pan or transfer to an airtight container. It will keep 3-5 days in the fridge. The sauce may break down slightly when reheated, but it will still taste great.

IN THE FREEZER: Seal with plastic wrap and freeze this cheesy chicken alfredo bake for up to six months. For best results, freeze this dish before baking it. Thaw overnight, then bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes.

close up shot of a baking dish of chicken alfredo bake with a spoon

Chicken alfredo bake offers a hearty and easy homemade dinner that is full of classic flavors. With pasta, cheese, chicken, and a luscious creamy alfredo sauce, this made-from-scratch casserole is ready for the table in less than 30 minutes!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can make this dish ahead. The sauce will likely separate a little if left in the fridge. You could also make all the components ahead of time and then assemble and bake at dinner, that way you could stir the sauce back up before adding to the dish.

Can I freeze this recipe?

This great recipe can be frozen for up to six months. For best results, freeze this dish before baking it. Thaw overnight, then bake at 350°F for approximately 30 minutes.

Can I use jarred sauce instead of making it homemade?

If you are looking to save time, you can use a jarred alfredo sauce instead of making it from scratch.

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close up shot of a baking dish of chicken alfredo bake with a spoon

Chicken Alfredo Bake

5 from 9 votes
This creamy chicken alfredo bake features a rich, homemade sauce and penne pasta combined with chicken and melted cheese. Add your choice of veggies for a simple dinner the whole family will love.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces penne pasta
  • 5 tablespoons salted butter
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, divided
  • cups parmesan cheese shredded, divided
  • 2 cups chicken breast shredded or chopped

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare pasta to al dente and set aside.
  • In a Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add cream cheese. Use a whisk to stir.
  • Add minced garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until mixed and butter/cream cheese are melted.
  • Add flour and mix well.
  • Add heavy whipping cream one cup at a time, continue to stir. Add milk.
  • Add one cup of mozzarella cheese and one cup of parmesan cheese, stir to mix and melt.
  • Once all the sauce is melted, stir in chicken and pasta.
  • Pour in 9×13 pan that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
  • Top with remaining one cup of mozzarella and ½ cup of parmesan cheese.
  • Bake for 10 to 15 minutes to melt the cheese. Turn on the broiler for a couple of minutes to brown.

Video

Notes

Note: To help make your sauce extra creamy, allow your cheese to come to room temperature before adding it to the sauce.
 
Note: Is your sauce too thick? Add in some of the pasta water that you set aside. That will thin out the sauce and help it coat the pasta more evenly.
 
Note: If you like browned, bubbly cheese, turn on the broiler for a minute or two once the dish is finished baking.

Nutrition

Calories: 759kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 48g | Saturated Fat: 29g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 178mg | Sodium: 668mg | Potassium: 447mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 1692IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 484mg | Iron: 2mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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  1. Lauren says

    This is really good! I was lazy and just used a rotisserie chicken and shredded the breast and it was perfect!

  2. Stephanie says

    5 stars
    I made this for the first time this week. I have 5 kids of varying ages, a VERY picky husband, and my folks live with us. I made it gluten free due to allergies, but it was AMAZING! LITERALLY EVERYONE in our family liked it!! Definitely going into our regular dinner rotation for SURE!

  3. GM says

    5 stars
    I had some left over brined/smoked chicken and settled on this over tetrazzini. Boy am I glad that I did. Talk about flavor bomb. I was a little leery about the dried herb amounts, but wow. This one is a keeper!

  4. John says

    5 stars
    Delicious…used rotisserie chicken from Costco made it so much easier and quicker to make…I will definitely make it again!

  5. Lindsey says

    Is this a dish that could be pre-made and then just take it out of the fridge and put in the oven? I would like to make this in the morning and just pop it in the I’ve for dinner. Do you recommend this? Thanks

    • Layne Kangas says

      Hi, Lindsey – you could do that. The sauce will likely separate a little if left in the fridge. You could also make all the components ahead of time and then assemble and bake at dinner, that way you could stir the sauce back up before adding to the dish. Enjoy!

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