Description
Baked creamy chicken mozzarella pasta is a comforting oven-baked dish made with tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, a rich cream-based sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese. This family-friendly recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, potlucks, or make-ahead meals, delivering creamy texture and savory flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
- Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and butter, then sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Add cooked chicken, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning; stir well.
- Pour in heavy cream and milk, simmering gently until slightly thickened.
- Combine pasta with the sauce, then transfer to the baking dish.
- Top evenly with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and lightly golden.
- Rest for 5 minutes before serving; garnish with parsley.
Notes
- Use freshly shredded mozzarella for better melting.
- Slightly undercook pasta to prevent sogginess after baking.
- Add vegetables like spinach or mushrooms for an extra nutritional boost.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg