Description
Enjoy this quick and easy Creamy Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta Bake, inspired by Sara’s spontaneous energy and Liam’s precise cooking. This recipe brings soul to your weeknight dinner, turning simple ingredients into a comforting, cheesy masterpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- Add the uncooked pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally until the pasta is nearly tender.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese until a creamy sauce forms.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese over the top.
- Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- If you prefer a slower approach, transfer the mixture to a slow cooker after the pasta has softened slightly on the stovetop and cook on low for 2 hours.
- Feel free to add 1 cup of frozen peas or spinach during the last 5 minutes of stovetop cooking for extra color.
- Adjust the amount of Parmesan cheese to match your personal taste for saltiness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop to Oven Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: About 650
- Sugar: About 7g
- Sodium: About 850mg
- Fat: About 35g
- Saturated Fat: About 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: About 17g
- Trans Fat: About 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: About 55g
- Fiber: About 3g
- Protein: About 35g
- Cholesterol: About 120mg