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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

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A comforting dish featuring tender pasta, juicy chicken, and fragrant pesto in a creamy bake.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1 cup pesto sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Olive oil for greasing baking dish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly with olive oil.
  4. Combine pesto, heavy cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  5. Add the cooked pasta and shredded chicken to the creamy mixture and gently fold until well coated.
  6. Stir in the mozzarella and half of the Parmesan cheese.
  7. Pour the mixture into the greased baking dish, spreading it evenly.
  8. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese and additional mozzarella.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden brown. Optionally, switch to broil for the last 2-3 minutes for a crispy top.
  10. Cool for a few minutes before serving hot.

Notes

Garnish with fresh basil or crushed red pepper flakes. Pairs well with a green salad or crusty bread.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta bake, creamy pesto, chicken pasta, comfort food, easy dinner

Find it online: https://hearthfulkitchen.com/creamy-pesto-chicken-pasta-bake/