Description

A comforting and hearty Cheesy Chicken in Blankets Pasta Bake featuring tender shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and a golden, bubbly cheese topping. Perfect for family dinners, this baked pasta dish combines penne pasta, cream cheese, heavy cream, and a blend of mozzarella, cheddar, and parmesan cheeses, seasoned with garlic and onion powder for rich flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta and Chicken

12 oz pasta (penne or ziti), cooked al dente
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped

Dairy and Cheese

4 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

Seasonings and Garnish

1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent the pasta bake from sticking.
Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, softened cream cheese, heavy cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated and creamy.
Transfer mixture: Pour the pasta and chicken mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly to form a uniform layer.
Add cheese topping: Layer shredded mozzarella, shredded cheddar, and grated parmesan cheese evenly on top of the pasta mixture for a rich and flavorful crust.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
Broil for crispiness: For an extra crispy and browned cheese topping, broil the pasta bake for 2 to 3 minutes at the end of baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Rest and garnish: Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving to add a touch of color and freshness.

Notes

Cook pasta just until al dente to avoid mushy texture after baking.
You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
Feel free to add vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition.
Use a mix of cheeses to enhance flavor and texture.
Broiling is optional but adds a desirable crispy topping.