Friends, let’s talk about pasta. It’s basically a hug for your stomach. Now, imagine that hug wearing a fancy cheese cape and holding a chicken drumstick.
That’s Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake—carb-laden glory that even your picky cousin Chad will inhale. Ready to turn your kitchen into a cheesy superhero lair? Aprons on, spatulas up!
Ingredients (Serves 6):
- 12 oz penne pasta (or any shape that won’t judge your life choices)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken: the MVP of lazy cooking)
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese (the powdery kind that sticks to your fingers)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for maximum meltiness)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (or 1 tbsp jarred garlic—we’re not here to gatekeep)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (optional, but it’s like a secret handshake for flavor)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish, aka “fancy confetti”)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
If your oven has moods, check it twice. This dish deserves commitment.
2. Cook the pasta.
Boil the penne in salted water until al dente (translation: “firm to the bite,” not “mushy regret”). Drain.
3. Make the Alfredo sauce.
Melt butter in a large pot. Add garlic. Sizzle for 1 minute (don’t burn it—burnt garlic is sadness in a pan). Pour in heavy cream. Stir. Add Parmesan, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Simmer on low heat for 5 minutes until thicker than your last Zoom meeting agenda.
4. Combine everything.
Mix cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and Alfredo sauce in a bowl. Stir like you’re solving life’s mysteries.
5. Layer and bake.
Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with mozzarella (this is where the magic happens). Bake for 20 minutes.
6. Broil for drama.
Switch the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese turns golden-brown and Instagram-worthy.
7. Rest and garnish.
Let the bake sit for 5 minutes (prevents molten cheese lava burns). Sprinkle parsley on top.
Serving Suggestion:
Pair with garlic bread for carb symmetry. Optional: a side salad to pretend you’re healthy.
Final Tip:
Leftovers reheat well, but let’s be real—there won’t be leftovers. Proceed directly to food coma. 🍝💤
Recipe tested by: My dog, who licked the floor clean.
