Tender chicken and penne pasta in rich, creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. A comforting Italian-American favorite.
# What You Need:
→ Pasta
01 - 14 oz penne pasta
→ Chicken
02 - 1.1 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
03 - 1 tbsp olive oil
04 - 1/2 tsp salt
05 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Alfredo Sauce
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
09 - 2 cups whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
→ Cheese Topping
14 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Cook 5-7 minutes until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Sprinkle in flour, whisk constantly for 1 minute to cook out raw flavor.
05 - Gradually whisk in whole milk and heavy cream. Bring to a gentle simmer, whisking continuously until sauce thickens slightly, 3-4 minutes.
06 - Remove from heat. Stir in grated Parmesan, remaining 1/2 tsp salt, and nutmeg until cheese is fully melted and sauce is smooth.
07 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, seasoned chicken, and Alfredo sauce. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
08 - Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Top with shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese in a uniform layer.
09 - Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is completely melted, bubbly, and beginning to turn golden brown on edges.
10 - Let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow sauce to set. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley just before serving.
