Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe

Chicken Alfredo Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—a creamy, cheesy dish with tender chicken, pasta, and a rich Alfredo sauce, all baked together until bubbly and golden. This recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions, offering a warm, comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

In this recipe, we’ll break down every step to create a creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole with an easy homemade Alfredo sauce, tips on making it ahead, storing leftovers, and ideas to customize it with extra ingredients.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Simple Comfort: This casserole combines the flavors of traditional Chicken Alfredo with a baked twist, bringing extra creaminess and a deliciously crisp cheese topping.
2. Easy to Prepare: The recipe requires just a few basic steps and can be made ahead, which makes it ideal for busy days.
3. Customizable: You can add vegetables, swap pasta types, or use pre-cooked chicken to make this dish your own.

How to Make Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Step 1: Cook the Pasta

1. Boil Water: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil.
2. Cook Pasta: Add pasta and cook until al dente, typically 1-2 minutes less than package instructions (it will cook further in the casserole). Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken

1. Season Chicken: Sprinkle salt and pepper over the cubed chicken breasts to season.
2. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat.
3. Cook Chicken: Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes, turning the pieces occasionally for even cooking. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Alfredo Sauce

1. Melt Butter: In the same skillet (or a saucepan if you prefer), melt 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.
2. Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
3. Add Cream: Pour in the heavy cream, stirring occasionally. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4. Add Parmesan: Gradually stir in the Parmesan cheese until fully melted and smooth. The sauce will thicken as the cheese melts.
5. Season: Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg (if using). Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Remove the sauce from heat.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix Pasta and Chicken: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta and chicken.
3. Add Alfredo Sauce: Pour the Alfredo sauce over the pasta and chicken, mixing until well-coated.
4. Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.

Step 5: Add Toppings and Bake

1. Add Cheese Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
2. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
3. Optional Broil: For an extra crispy, golden top, broil the casserole for an additional 2-3 minutes. Watch closely to avoid burning.
4. Garnish: Remove from oven and sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for color and flavor, if desired.

Serve and Enjoy

1. Portion and Serve: Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. This makes it easier to scoop out portions without the sauce spreading too much.
2. Serve Warm: This dish is best enjoyed warm and fresh out of the oven.

Tips for the Best Chicken Alfredo Casserole

• Use Al Dente Pasta: Cook the pasta just to al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven and absorb more sauce.
• Season Generously: Season each layer of this dish—chicken, sauce, and toppings—to bring out the best flavor in every bite.
• Choose Good Quality Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses melt smoother and add a richer flavor than pre-shredded versions.
• Avoid Overcooking the Sauce: Simmer the Alfredo sauce on low to medium heat; high heat can cause it to break or become too thick.

Customizing Your Chicken Alfredo Casserole

1. Vegetables: Add veggies like broccoli, spinach, or mushrooms for extra nutrition. Sauté or blanch them before adding to the casserole to ensure they’re tender.
2. Pasta: Try other pasta shapes like fusilli, farfalle, or cavatappi if you don’t have penne.
3. Herbs: Fresh basil or thyme add a nice touch to the casserole; mix them into the sauce or use as garnish.
4. Protein Alternatives: Swap chicken for turkey, shrimp, or sausage to vary the flavor.
5. Bread Crumb Topping: For extra crunch, top the casserole with a mix of breadcrumbs and Parmesan before baking.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• Making Ahead: Prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it tightly, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
• Freezing: Assemble the casserole and freeze it before baking for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Reheating Leftovers: Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions, but the texture may be slightly different.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce?
   • Yes, you can replace the homemade Alfredo sauce with a jar of store-bought sauce for a quicker version. Adjust seasoning to taste as needed.
2. What pasta works best?
   • Short pasta like penne, rotini, or rigatoni holds the sauce well and fits nicely in the casserole dish.
3. Is there a substitute for heavy cream?
   • For a lighter option, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.
4. How can I make this gluten-free?
   • Use gluten-free pasta and substitute the flour with a gluten-free alternative if you’re making your own Alfredo sauce.
5. Can I add breadcrumbs for a crispy topping?
   • Yes! Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese, then sprinkle over the casserole before baking for a crispy top layer.

Variations and Add-Ons

1. Buffalo Chicken Alfredo Casserole: Stir in 1/4 cup buffalo sauce into the Alfredo sauce for a spicy twist.
2. Garlic Bread Topping: Cube garlic bread and place on top of the casserole before baking for a crunchy garlic-bread topping.
3. Spinach and Artichoke Chicken Alfredo: Add a can of drained artichoke hearts and 1 cup of spinach to the casserole for a spinach artichoke twist.
4. Bacon Chicken Alfredo: Fry some bacon, crumble it, and mix it into the casserole before baking for extra smoky flavor.

Conclusion

This Chicken Alfredo Casserole is a cozy, creamy, and delicious dish that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or gatherings. With a tender pasta base, seasoned chicken, and rich Alfredo sauce, this casserole comes together easily and is adaptable to personal tastes and dietary preferences. Enjoy the indulgence of Alfredo in casserole form for a crowd-pleasing dish that’s sure to become a family favorite!

Yield: 6

Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe

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Chicken Alfredo Casserole is the ultimate comfort food—a creamy, cheesy dish with tender chicken, pasta, and a rich Alfredo sauce, all baked together until bubbly and golden. This recipe is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or special occasions, offering a warm, comforting meal that everyone will enjoy.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
• 12 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
• 2 cups Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pasta:
   Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
   
2. Make the Sauce:
   In a large mixing bowl, combine Alfredo sauce, heavy cream, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to blend.
   
3. Combine Ingredients:
   Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce mixture, stirring until everything is well coated.
   
4. Assemble the Casserole:
   Transfer the mixture into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly on top.
   
5. Bake the Casserole:
   Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
   
6. Serve:
   Remove from the oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve warm. Enjoy this creamy, comforting Chicken Alfredo Casserole with a side of garlic bread or a green salad.

Notes

• For added flavor, consider mixing in 1 cup of steamed broccoli or 1 cup of cooked mushrooms.
• This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours before baking.
• If you like a crispy topping, add ¼ cup of breadcrumbs on top of the cheese layer before baking.