🥘 Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole
A creamy, cheesy, and comforting dish made with tender chicken, pasta, and a rich Alfredo sauce—all baked together in one dish, no boiling required!
📋 Ingredients:
- 2 cups uncooked penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups cooked, shredded or cubed chicken (rotisserie works great)
- 2½ cups Alfredo sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
- Optional: 1 cup steamed broccoli or baby spinach for extra veggies
🧑🍳 Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In the dish, dump in uncooked pasta, chicken, Alfredo sauce, chicken broth, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil, stir, and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
- Return to oven uncovered and bake for 10–15 more minutes, until pasta is tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let it rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
📝 Notes:
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken to save time.
- You can make it with cooked pasta—reduce broth to ½ cup and bake for just 20 minutes.
- Homemade Alfredo gives it a richer taste, but jarred sauce works perfectly for convenience.
💡 Tips:
- Add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or broccoli to make it a one-dish meal.
- Want extra creaminess? Mix in ¼ cup cream cheese or sour cream before baking.
- Make it ahead: assemble, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
🍽️ Servings:
4–6 servings
⚖️ Nutritional Info (Per Serving – Approx.):
- Calories: 480
- Protein: 32g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fat: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
(Values will vary based on brands and optional ingredients.)
✅ Benefits:
- Time-Saving: No need to boil pasta or pre-cook anything.
- High in Protein: Great for staying full and energized.
- Customizable: Easily add veggies or swap proteins.
- Family-Friendly: Creamy, cheesy, and satisfying for all ages.
❓ Q&A:
Q: Can I use uncooked chicken instead of cooked?
A: It’s best to use pre-cooked chicken. If using raw, cut it into small pieces and ensure it reaches 165°F internally before serving.
Q: Can I freeze this casserole?
A: Yes! Assemble it without baking, wrap tightly, and freeze. Thaw overnight and bake as instructed.
Q: Is it gluten-free?
A: Not by default, but you can use gluten-free pasta and sauce to make it suitable.
Q: Can I make it vegetarian?
A: Absolutely. Omit the chicken and add mushrooms, spinach, or extra cheese.