A recipe for a rich, baked pasta casserole featuring tender chicken and a thick, creamy Alfredo sauce topped with melted cheese.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:15 min
Cook Time:25 min
Total Time:40 min
Yield:6 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Baking
Cuisine:American
Diet:Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
1 pound fettuccine pasta
2 cups cooked, shredded chicken breast
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus 1 cup for topping
4 ounces cream cheese, cubed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Cook the fettuccine according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
While the pasta cooks, prepare the sauce. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally. Do not boil.
Reduce the heat to low. Whisk in the cubed cream cheese until it melts completely and the sauce thickens slightly.
Stir in the 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Continue stirring until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the cooked chicken and the drained fettuccine to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, combine the remaining 1 cup of Parmesan cheese and the mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle this cheese mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the cheese topping is melted and lightly golden brown.
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a shortcut, you can substitute 2 cups of good quality jarred Alfredo sauce for the heavy cream, chicken broth, and cream cheese, adding the seasonings as listed.
If you prefer a sharper cheese flavor, substitute half of the mozzarella with provolone.
You can add 1 cup of steamed broccoli florets when mixing the pasta and sauce for added vegetables.