Baked Cheesy Chicken Pasta 🧀🍗🔥🍝 Creamy, Saucy, and Oven-Baked With Golden Cheese and Tender Chicken in Every Bite

This is your ultimate tray of comfort: shredded or diced chicken folded into saucy pasta with a three-cheese punch and baked until bubbling and browned. It’s flexible, forgiving, and made to please everyone at the table — including your future leftovers.

Ingredients (Serves 4–6)

For the pasta base

• 12 oz pasta (penne, ziti, rotini, or rigatoni)
• Salted water for boiling

For the chicken

• 2 cups cooked, shredded or diced chicken (rotisserie or leftovers work great)
• Optional: ½ tsp garlic powder + ½ tsp Italian seasoning for added flavor

For the sauce

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups marinara or tomato basil sauce
• ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half
• ½ tsp salt and pepper, to taste
• Pinch of chili flakes (optional)

For the cheese blend

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or provolone
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Extra cheese for topping

To finish

• Chopped parsley or basil
• Optional: drizzle of olive oil or balsamic glaze on top

Instructions

Step 1: Boil the pasta
Cook pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Build the sauce
In a large skillet or saucepan, heat olive oil over medium. Add garlic and sauté for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in marinara, cream, seasonings, and chili flakes. Simmer for 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 3: Mix everything
Stir in the chicken and cook 1–2 minutes to heat through. Add cooked pasta and most of the cheese (reserve some for topping). Toss until everything is coated.

Step 4: Transfer and top
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer pasta mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.

Step 5: Bake
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Broil 2–3 minutes at the end if you want extra browning.

Step 6: Rest and serve
Let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve hot.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or bell peppers for veg boost
• Stir in pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, or red pepper paste for deeper flavor
• Use Alfredo instead of red sauce for a creamy white version
• Swap chicken for cooked sausage, ground turkey, or tofu crumbles

Pro Tips

• Undercook the pasta slightly — it will soften more in the oven
• Shred cheese fresh for the best melt and flavor
• Want to freeze? Assemble fully, skip baking, then freeze — bake from frozen at 375°F for 45–50 mins
• For crispy bits, use a wider, shallow baking dish to maximize surface area

Final Thoughts

Baked Cheesy Chicken Pasta is cozy, craveable, and endlessly riffable — a guaranteed win for meal prep, gatherings, or comfort cravings. It’s pasta, sauce, cheese, chicken, and oven magic in one bubbling tray.

Sauce it. Layer it. Bake until golden. 🧀🍗🔥🍝

🍝 Pasta Recipes Collection

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🧄 Classic & Comforting

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🧀 Sauce Styles

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• 🌿 Pesto Pasta Recipes – Herbaceous and vibrant, these green-sauced dishes are perfect for warm-weather meals.

🍗 Protein-Packed Pastas

• 🐓 Chicken Pasta Recipes – Tender chicken meets creamy or tangy sauces — the perfect protein-pasta pairings.
• 🍤 Shrimp Pasta Recipes – Juicy shrimp with garlic butter, wine, or creamy sauces — quick and elegant.
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• 🌭 Sausage Pasta Recipes – Hearty and spiced — from Italian to spicy andouille, sausage elevates every bite.

🥗 Pasta Salads & Light Fare

• 🥗 Pasta Salad Recipes – Great for potlucks, picnics, or meal prep — versatile and crowd-pleasing.
• ❄️ Cold Pasta Salad Recipes – Crisp veggies and chilled noodles tossed with light vinaigrettes or creamy dressings.
• ⏱️ Easy Pasta Salad Recipes – Quick assembly, great texture — ideal for lunches and BBQs.
• 🥬 Healthy Pasta Recipes – Nourishing options made with whole grains, lean proteins, and fresh produce.