Description
Garlic Parmesan Pasta Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked dish featuring penne pasta tossed with a rich garlic parmesan sauce, tender cooked chicken, and melted mozzarella cheese. This flavorful casserole is perfect for a hearty family dinner and topped with fresh parsley for a bright finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb penne pasta
Sauce
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups half and half
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 1 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, grated
Other
- 2 cups chicken, cooked and chopped
- Fresh parsley, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and cook pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Make the roux: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking frequently, for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant and develops a nutty aroma.
- Prepare the sauce: Gradually pour in the half and half while whisking vigorously to avoid lumps. Continue cooking, whisking frequently, until the sauce starts to bubble and thicken.
- Season the sauce: Reduce the heat to low and stir in the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, about 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Whisk in the grated parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Combine pasta and chicken: In a large bowl or the empty pasta pot, mix the cooked pasta, chopped chicken, and the prepared sauce until thoroughly combined.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer half of the pasta mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with the remaining mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy your creamy garlic parmesan pasta casserole.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half with whole milk.
- The cooked chicken can be replaced with cooked turkey or omitted for a vegetarian version.
- Add vegetables such as spinach or mushrooms for extra nutrition and flavor.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this casserole gluten free.
- Letting the casserole rest before serving helps the sauce thicken and makes it easier to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
