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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake - Your New Family Favorite Dinner

This creamy pesto chicken pasta bake combines tender chicken, fragrant basil pesto, and a creamy sauce with perfectly baked pasta for an elegant yet easy family meal. The recipe strikes the perfect balance between rich creaminess and fresh pesto flavor, making it ideal for both weeknight dinners and casual entertaining.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
  • 1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook pasta according to package directions but reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes since it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain well and set aside.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, pesto, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Whisk until smooth and well combined.
  3. Add cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and Parmesan cheese to the sauce mixture. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated. If the mixture seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth to reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Transfer mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish lightly greased with cooking spray. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  5. Let pasta bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Choose tube-shaped pastas like penne or rigatoni for best results. Slightly undercook pasta since it continues cooking in oven. Quality pesto elevates the dish. Make-ahead option available - assemble up to baking step and refrigerate for up to 24 hours, adding 5-10 minutes to baking time.