Description
This comforting Chicken Alfredo Casserole combines tender rotini pasta, creamy Alfredo sauce, and hearty shredded chicken in a simple bake that’s full of rich flavor. With minimal prep and one-dish cooking, it’s an easy weeknight meal perfect for families and busy cooks alike. The casserole is baked until the pasta is perfectly al dente and topped with melty mozzarella cheese, then optionally garnished with Parmesan and fresh herbs for an extra savory touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta & Sauce
- 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked rotini pasta
- 1 (22 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce (or 1 ½ 15-ounce jars), approximately 2 ½ cups total
- 3 cups chicken stock or chicken broth
Protein & Flavorings
- 2 cups diced or shredded rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 large cloves)
Cheese & Garnish
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian cheese blend
- Optional garnish: Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs, such as basil, oregano, or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat and assemble: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large baking dish, combine the uncooked rotini pasta, Alfredo sauce, chicken stock, shredded chicken, and minced garlic. Stir everything well to distribute the ingredients evenly.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. This initial baking softens the pasta while allowing flavors to meld.
- Check and stir: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and stir the casserole. Check the pasta’s doneness—it should be almost al dente but still firm, with some liquid remaining. If the pasta is still too firm, cover again and continue baking until al dente, typically up to 10 more minutes.
- Add cheese: Once the pasta is nearly done, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella or Italian cheese blend evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Final bake: Bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese melts fully and the pasta reaches perfect al dente texture without being mushy.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs like basil, oregano, or parsley over the casserole before serving for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Prep time is only about 10 minutes, making this an easy and speedy bake.
- This recipe requires just one dish, which simplifies cleanup.
- If your pasta is too firm after the initial baking time, add additional baking time in 5-minute increments, covered, to reach desired tenderness.
- Using rotisserie chicken speeds up preparation, but any cooked chicken works well.
- Feel free to customize cheese types—Italian blends or mozzarella both melt well.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 499 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1056 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 46 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg
