Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe – Easy One-Pan Comfort Food

Imagine opening your oven door and a cloud of rich, garlicky steam escapes, carrying the most incredible aroma of bubbling cheese, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta. That’s the magic of this Chicken Alfredo Casserole – all the beloved flavors of classic chicken alfredo pasta transformed into a cozy, family-friendly baked dish that’s pure comfort food heaven!

What makes this recipe absolutely irresistible is how it captures that restaurant-quality alfredo taste while being incredibly simple to prepare. Unlike traditional stovetop alfredo that requires constant stirring and perfect timing, this casserole version lets your oven do all the work while you relax. The result? Tender pasta enveloped in a velvety cream sauce, juicy seasoned chicken, and a gorgeous golden cheese top that’ll have everyone rushing to the dinner table.

I love making this on chilly Sunday afternoons when the whole house fills with that incredible aroma, or when I need a satisfying meal that feeds a crowd without the stress. It’s become one of those go-to recipes that never fails to impress!

Key Takeaways

• One-pan wonder: Everything bakes together in a single dish, making cleanup a breeze
• Make-ahead friendly: Perfect for meal prep or preparing the night before a busy day
• Crowd-pleaser: Serves 6-8 people and appeals to both kids and adults
• Customizable: Easy to add vegetables, swap proteins, or adjust cheese levels
• Comfort food perfection: Delivers all the creamy, cheesy satisfaction you crave

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Alfredo Casserole

✅ Effortlessly delicious – No need to stand over the stove stirring sauce; just assemble and bake!

✅ Family-friendly flavor – Even picky eaters can’t resist this creamy, cheesy goodness

✅ Meal prep champion – Makes excellent leftovers and freezes beautifully for future dinners

✅ Budget-smart – Uses simple, affordable ingredients to create an impressive meal that feels special

Ingredient Highlights & Notes

The beauty of this casserole lies in its simplicity – you probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen right now! The key is using good-quality cream cheese and freshly grated Parmesan for that ultra-smooth, restaurant-style sauce. I always recommend using rotisserie chicken when I’m short on time, but freshly cooked chicken breast gives you that perfect tender texture.

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

1 lb penne or rigatoni pasta (uncooked – the pasta will cook perfectly in the oven!)

3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (rotisserie chicken works beautifully)

8 oz cream cheese, softened (let it sit at room temp for easier mixing)

1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for lighter version)

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus extra for topping)

2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

3 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)

2 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred)

2 tbsp butter

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp salt (adjust to taste)

1/4 tsp black pepper

Fresh parsley for garnish (optional but so pretty!)

Equipment & Tools

Large mixing bowl – for combining ingredients

9×13 inch baking dish – the perfect size for this recipe

Aluminum foil – to prevent over-browning

Whisk – for smooth sauce mixing

Large spoon or spatula – for folding ingredients together

Instructions & Method

1. Prep your oven and dish (5 minutes)
Preheat your oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. The anticipation starts building right here – you know something amazing is about to happen!

2. Create the creamy base (8 minutes)
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, chicken broth, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking until it’s completely smooth – this is your luscious alfredo base! If you see any cream cheese lumps, don’t worry; they’ll melt away during baking.

3. Combine the stars of the show (5 minutes)
Add the uncooked pasta, diced chicken, 1 cup of Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella to your creamy mixture. Fold everything together gently but thoroughly – every piece of pasta should be coated in that gorgeous cream sauce.

4. Into the baking dish (2 minutes)
Transfer the entire mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Dot the top with small pieces of butter and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over everything. This top layer will create that irresistible golden, bubbly crust!

5. The magic happens (45-55 minutes)
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-20 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbling, and the pasta feels tender when pierced with a fork. Your kitchen will smell absolutely incredible!

6. Rest and serve (10 minutes)
Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving – this helps the sauce thicken up perfectly. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and that extra Parmesan cheese for the ultimate finishing touch!

Tips, Variations & Substitutions

🔥 Pro Tips:

Don’t skip the resting time – those 10 minutes make all the difference in texture

Use room temperature cream cheese – it blends so much easier and prevents lumps

Save some pasta water – if your mixture seems too thick, add a splash of the starchy pasta cooking liquid

🌟 Delicious Variations:

Veggie-packed version: Add frozen broccoli, spinach, or bell peppers in step 3

Bacon lover’s dream: Crispy bacon bits mixed in or sprinkled on top

Spicy kick: Add red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for heat

Mushroom medley: Sautéed mushrooms add an earthy, savory depth

🔄 Smart Substitutions:

Lighter option: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese by 1/3

Gluten-free: Swap regular pasta for your favorite gluten-free variety

Dairy-free: Use cashew cream and nutritional yeast (though it won’t be quite the same magic!)

Protein swaps: Turkey, leftover beef stir-fry, or even tuna patties work wonderfully

Serving Suggestions

This casserole is practically a complete meal on its own, but here are some lovely accompaniments that make it even more special:

Fresh garden salad with a light vinaigrette to cut through the richness

Garlic bread or warm dinner rolls for extra comfort factor

Steamed vegetables like green beans or asparagus add color and nutrition

A crisp white wine or sparkling water with lemon for adults

For a cozy family dinner, I love serving this straight from the baking dish with everyone gathered around the table. It’s the kind of meal that brings people together and creates those warm, happy memories we all treasure.

Storage, Make-Ahead & Reheating

🍽️ Storage:

Refrigerator: Covered, up to 4 days

Freezer: Up to 3 months (let it cool completely first!)

⏰ Make-Ahead Magic:
This casserole is a meal-prep superstar! You can assemble the entire dish up to 24 hours ahead, cover tightly, and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time since it’s starting cold.

♨️ Reheating Tips:

Oven method: Cover with foil and reheat at 350°F for 20-25 minutes

Microwave: Individual portions heat beautifully in 1-2 minutes

Add moisture: A splash of cream or broth prevents drying out

Nutrition & Dietary Notes

This hearty casserole serves 6-8 people generously. Each serving provides approximately:

Calories: 520-580 per serving

Protein: 28-32g (thanks to that chicken!)

Carbs: 45-50g

Fat: 24-28g

While this is definitely a comfort food indulgence, you can lighten it up by using half-and-half, reducing cheese quantities, or adding extra vegetables. The protein content makes it quite satisfying, so a smaller portion often does the trick!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use uncooked chicken in this recipe?
A: I recommend using pre-cooked chicken for food safety and even cooking. If you want to use raw chicken, cook it completely in a skillet first, then dice and add to the casserole.

Q: Why is my casserole watery?
A: This usually happens if the pasta was pre-cooked or if there’s too much liquid. Make sure to use uncooked pasta and let the casserole rest 10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to thicken.

Q: Can I make this without heavy cream?
A: Absolutely! Half-and-half works well, or you can use whole milk with an extra tablespoon of cream cheese for richness. The sauce will be slightly less thick but still delicious.

Q: How do I know when it’s done?
A: The cheese should be golden and bubbly on top, and when you insert a fork into the center, the pasta should feel tender. If the pasta still feels firm, cover and bake another 10-15 minutes.

Q: Can I freeze individual portions?
A: Yes! Cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. They’ll keep for up to 3 months and reheat beautifully in the microwave.

Conclusion

There’s something truly magical about a dish that brings together all the flavors you love in one comforting, satisfying meal. This Chicken Alfredo Casserole does exactly that – it takes the beloved restaurant classic and transforms it into an easy, family-friendly dinner that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds!).

What I love most about this recipe is how it proves that incredible comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated. With just a few simple steps and ingredients you probably already have on hand, you can create a meal that feels special enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight dinner.

Ready to make your kitchen smell amazing? Gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try this week! I’d love to hear how it turns out for you and any creative variations you discover along the way.

For more comforting recipes that bring families together, explore our collection at Martha Blogger, where you’ll find everything from sweet treats like pumpkin cake with cinnamon cream cheese to festive favorites like Christmas peppermints and gingerbread crinkle cookies. There’s always something delicious waiting to be discovered!

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