Description
Hearty chicken casserole brings comfort from classic American kitchens, blending tender meat with creamy sauce and crisp vegetables. Homemade warmth fills plates with nostalgic flavors you’ll savor to the last delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 cups rotisserie chicken, chopped
- 12 oz uncooked penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 4 oz (1 cup) low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese, pre-shredded
- 1 (15 oz) jar Alfredo sauce
- 1 (6 oz) package baby spinach, chopped
- ⅓ cup pesto sauce, refrigerated
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsps fresh basil, thinly sliced
- ¼ tsp paprika
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease an 11×7-inch (28×18 centimeters) baking dish and set aside.
- Sauce Fusion: Whisk Alfredo sauce with chicken broth in a large mixing bowl until smooth and creamy. Distribute a thin layer of this sauce across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Layering Foundation: Coat fresh spinach leaves with pesto, ensuring even distribution. Spread half of the pesto-dressed spinach over the initial sauce layer, creating a vibrant green base.
- Protein Integration: Combine cooked pasta and diced chicken with the remaining Alfredo sauce mixture. Carefully layer half of this protein-rich combination over the spinach, creating a substantial and flavorful stratum.
- Final Assembly: Repeat the layering process by adding the remaining pesto-dressed spinach and topping with the remaining chicken and pasta mixture.
- Baking Process: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the edges turn golden and the center is thoroughly heated.
- Cheese Finale: Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the surface. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and develop a light golden crust.
- Serving Presentation: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil leaves and a light dusting of paprika for enhanced color and flavor complexity.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Hack: Combine pesto and spinach mixture up to 24 hours in advance, storing in an airtight container to enhance flavor infusion and save time during cooking.
- Perfect Pasta Texture: Use al dente pasta to prevent overcooking during the baking process, maintaining a tender yet firm bite in the final casserole.
- Cheese Selection Tip: Choose high-moisture mozzarella or a blend of cheeses like provolone and parmesan for optimal melting and richer flavor profile.
- Temperature Precision: Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes after baking to help layers set and make serving easier, preventing potential burning and allowing flavors to meld.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 440
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg