Description
Hearty cheesy garlic parmesan chicken pasta delivers comfort with creamy sauce and tender chicken. Parmesan cheese and herbs create a delightful blend you can savor in mere minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups chicken, cooked and diced or shredded (approximately 340 g/12 oz)
- 2 jars Alfredo sauce (15 oz/425 g each)
- 1 lb (454 g) rotini pasta
- 1 cup garlic parmesan sauce (240 ml/8 fl oz)
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (226 g/8 oz)
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated (50 g/1.8 oz)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Parsley, fresh and chopped (optional)
- ½ cup pasta water (120 ml/4 fl oz, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Ignite the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a rectangular baking dish with cooking spray, creating a non-stick surface for the culinary creation.
- Pasta and Protein Fusion: Combine cooked pasta with succulent chicken pieces, blending Alfredo and garlic parmesan sauces to create a harmonious flavor profile.
- Cheese Integration: Fold half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses into the mixture, ensuring an even distribution of creamy, tangy notes throughout the dish.
- Moisture Management: Introduce a splash of reserved pasta water to maintain a luxurious, silky texture that prevents dryness.
- Baking Preparation: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly to create a uniform layer that promises consistent flavor in every bite.
- Cheese Crowning: Lavish the surface with the remaining cheese varieties, promising a decadent, melted topping that will tantalize the taste buds.
- Oven Transformation: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and the cheese to become a bubbling, golden masterpiece.
- Final Flourish: For an extra crispy top, activate the broiler briefly, watching carefully to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust without burning.
- Resting and Serving: Let the dish rest for a few moments to stabilize the flavors and texture, then garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley for a burst of color and herbal freshness.
Notes
- Pasta Water Magic: Reserved pasta liquid acts as a secret weapon, adding silky smoothness and helping cheese sauce cling perfectly to every noodle.
- Cheese Distribution Technique: Blend half the cheese inside the mixture and reserve remaining cheese for a golden, bubbling top layer to maximize flavor and texture.
- Baking Precision: Cover with foil during initial baking to prevent excessive browning, then briefly uncover to achieve that irresistible golden-brown crust.
- Fresh Finish Factor: Sprinkle fresh parsley just before serving to elevate visual appeal and introduce a bright, herbaceous note that cuts through the rich, creamy pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 665
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 970 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 67 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg