Description
Comfort meets elegance in this chicken alfredo pasta casserole masterpiece. Cheesy layers of pasta and tender chicken create a memorable dining experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups chicken stock (or substitute with chicken broth)
- 2 cups diced or shredded rotisserie chicken (or any cooked chicken)
- 22 fl oz jar Alfredo sauce (approximately 2 ½ cups)
- 1 (16 oz) package uncooked rotini pasta
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian blend cheese)
- 2 tsps minced garlic (about 2 large cloves)
- Optional garnish: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Optional garnish: Chopped herbs (basil, parsley, or oregano)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C), establishing an optimal cooking environment for the casserole’s transformation.
- Ingredient Fusion: Combine uncooked pasta, Alfredo sauce, chicken stock, diced chicken, and minced garlic in a spacious baking dish, ensuring comprehensive sauce distribution. Cover tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and promote even cooking.
- Initial Baking Phase: Slide the covered dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 30 minutes. Uncover, gently stir the mixture, and evaluate pasta tenderness. If needed, continue baking until pasta reaches perfect al dente consistency.
- Cheese Infusion: Liberally spread shredded mozzarella across the casserole’s surface, returning the uncovered dish to the oven. Bake for 8-10 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, effervescent blanket that promises rich, creamy indulgence.
- Finishing Touches: Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan and finely chopped herbs, creating a vibrant flavor profile. Serve immediately, capturing the essence of this luxurious, comforting culinary creation.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Dryness: Cover the dish tightly with foil during initial baking to lock in moisture and ensure perfectly cooked, tender pasta without hardening.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Wait until the final 8-10 minutes of baking to add mozzarella, creating a beautifully golden, bubbly cheese topping that doesn’t burn.
- Liquid Balance Matters: Use precise liquid measurements to achieve the ideal sauce consistency – too little can cause dry pasta, while excess might result in soupy texture.
- Fresh Herb Finishing: Sprinkle herbs just before serving to maximize their aromatic flavor and maintain vibrant color, transforming the casserole from good to gourmet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg