There's something about a bubbling, golden Chicken Alfredo Casserole fresh from the oven that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
It’s one of those dishes I turn to when I’m craving serious comfort food. The rich, garlicky sauce, tender chicken, and cheesy topping never disappoint — and honestly, I could eat it every week.
This creamy chicken pasta bake combines juicy chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a luscious Alfredo sauce that coats every bite. And a layer of melted cheese on top makes it extra indulgent and oh-so-satisfying.
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It’s not quite a dump-and-go casserole recipe, but the steps are pretty straightforward. Plus, if you use rotisserie chicken, it’s ready in a flash!
I’ve seriously lost count of how many times I’ve made this family favorite. It’s perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or even meal prep since the leftovers reheat beautifully. Trust me, this one’s a keeper!
Chicken Alfredo Casserole Ingredients
- Penne Pasta: I love using penne because the ridges catch all that creamy Alfredo sauce perfectly. It's my go-to since I always have it in the pantry, but rotini, rigatoni, or ziti work just as well.
- Chicken: For the best flavor and texture, I recommend using boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs. They stay tender and juicy in the casserole. For a shortcut, rotisserie chicken works beautifully and makes prep even easier. Just shred it up and you're good to go!
- Herbs & Spices: A mix of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper gives this casserole its cozy, comforting flavor.
- Olive Oil: Perfect for browning the chicken and adding a touch of richness. I usually reach for extra virgin for the best flavor.
- Onion & Garlic: These two build the flavor base for the whole dish. Dice the onion small so it blends right in, and don’t skimp on fresh garlic. Use as much or as little as you like.
- Alfredo Sauce: I recommend Sacla Alfredo Sauce as it's rich, super cheesy, and will keep your casserole tasting homemade. Bertolli Alfredo Sauce is another solid option, or go ahead and make it yourself!
- Cheeses: A dreamy trio of mozzarella cheese, cheddar, and Parmesan makes this casserole rich, creamy, and packed with flavor. I mix some inside for extra creaminess and sprinkle more on top for that gooey, melty finish.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
If there’s one thing I love, it’s a recipe that looks fancy but is secretly so easy. This baked chicken Alfredo recipe is exactly that—simple steps, minimal effort, and a ridiculously delicious payoff.
1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until 2 minutes before al dente (it will finish cooking in the oven). I always set a timer for this — no one wants mushy pasta! Drain well and set aside.
3. Season the Chicken: Toss the chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl until evenly coated.
4. Cook the Chicken: Warm the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and diced onions. Cook, stirring often, until the chicken is no longer pink (about 5-8 minutes). Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, then remove from heat.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the prepared dish. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the top and add 1 cup mozzarella and all the cheddar. Stir until well combined, then transfer to the baking dish. I prefer mixing it in a bowl — it’s just easier to get everything coated that way.
6. Add the Toppings: Sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and all the Parmesan. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before serving. It’s always hard to wait, but trust me — it’s worth it. Enjoy!
Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole
If you love a creamy, cheesy pasta bake but hate extra dishes, try this Dump & Bake version instead! There's no need to pre-cook the pasta or chicken—just mix everything together, pop it in the oven, and let the magic happen.
The recipe stays the same, but you'll use about 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. Plus, you can toss the uncooked pasta right into the dish with 3 cups of low-sodium chicken broth to help it cook.
1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. I always do this first so everything’s ready to go once the ingredients are mixed.
2. Add the Ingredients: Dump the uncooked pasta, cooked chicken, Alfredo sauce, 3 cups broth (or water), onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the dish. Add half of the cheeses and stir until well combined. It may look a little soupy, but don’t worry, the pasta will soak it all up!
3. Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the pasta is tender. I like to check it at 35 minutes just to be safe — no one wants overcooked pasta.
4. Add Toppings: Uncover the dish, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and then broil for 2-3 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
6. Rest and Serve: Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. It’s hard to wait, but this helps everything set perfectly. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips and Variations
This Chicken Alfredo Casserole is perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or gatherings. It's always a hit that leaves everyone happy. And with these tips, I guarantee people will ask for the recipe.
- Go for shredded rotisserie chicken. It's juicy, perfectly seasoned, and saves you a ton of time and effort. You can also use leftover chicken? Chop it up and toss it in—zero extra effort needed.
- Extra creamy? Yes, please! Mix 8 ounces of softened cream cheese into the sauce before baking for next-level richness.
- Cheese it up! I love the trio of cheeses here, but you can easily swap cheddar for Monterey Jack, Gouda, or even a little smoked provolone for a fun twist.
- Give it a veggie boost Sneak in chopped spinach, mushrooms, or fresh broccoli—because balance, right?
- Bacon makes everything better. Crumble crispy bacon on top before serving for a smoky, salty crunch.
- Spice it up. A pinch of red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce adds a subtle kick for spice lovers.
- Go homemade. For an impressive homemade touch, make your own Alfredo sauce! You'll need about 4 cups.
- Top for texture: For a crunchy contrast, top the casserole with breadcrumbs or crushed butter crackers.
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Alfredo
Baked Chicken Alfredo Casserole is rich, creamy, and downright irresistible. And to be honest, it's perfect on its own. But I like to make things balanced, so I often serve it with one of the following sides to make it a complete meal.
- Garlic bread (obviously!) Every creamy pasta dish deserves a crispy, buttery sidekick. Bonus points if you dunk it in the Alfredo sauce!
- Simple green salad. A crisp, refreshing salad with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through all that cheesy goodness.
- Roasted broccoli or asparagus. Adds a little color, a little crunch, and makes you feel like you’re eating something healthy.
- Classic Caesar salad. Creamy dressing, crunchy croutons, and crisp romaine—always a winning combo.
- Soft, fluffy breadsticks. Need I say more?
- Wine, anyone? A chilled glass of Pinot Grigio or Chardonnay pairs perfectly with the creamy Alfredo sauce.
How to Store Leftovers
Want to make this ahead? You totally can! Just prep it as instructed, then cover and chill instead of baking. It'll be fine in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
And since this casserole reheats well, you and the entire family can enjoy it all week!
To Store: Let the casserole cool completely. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To Freeze: Wrap leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, or use a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months.
To Reheat: Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish and reheat for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway. For larger portions, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
More Cheesy Pasta Dinners You'll Love
Boursin Cheese Pasta
Olive Garden Five-Cheese Ziti al Forno
King Ranch Mac and Cheese
Chicken Penne Pasta
Chicken Alfredo Casserole
6
servings20
minutes35
minutes646
kcalThis bubbly, golden Chicken Alfredo Casserole is rich, creamy, and packed with cheesy goodness. It's pure comfort food magic that never disappoints!
Ingredients
1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta
3 cups boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-size pieces (about 1 pound)
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 (15 ounce) jars Alfredo sauce
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta per the package instructions until 2 minutes before al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, toss the chicken pieces in a medium bowl with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
- Warm the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken and diced onions and cook, stirring often, until the meat is no longer pink (about 5-8 minutes). Add the garlic and stir for 30 seconds, then remove from the heat.
- Add the cooked chicken and pasta to the baking dish. Pour the jars of sauce over the top and add 1 cup of mozzarella and all of the cheddar cheese. Stir until well combined (you can also do this in a large bowl, then pour into the baking dish).
- Top with the remaining mozzarella and all of the Parmesan cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove the dish from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Go for shredded rotisserie chicken. It's juicy, perfectly seasoned, and saves you a ton of time and effort.
- Dump & Go Recipe: Combine uncooked pasta, cooked chicken, and 3 cups of broth with the other ingredients in the baking dish. Cover with foil, and bake at 400°F for 35-40 minutes; uncover, add the remaining cheese, broil for 2-3 minutes.
Nutrition
- Total number of serves: 6
- Calories: 646kcal
- Fat: 43g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Cholesterol: 177mg
- Sodium: 1448mg
- Carbohydrates: 64g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 5g
- Protein: 39g
21 Comments
Delicious and flavorful.
Try sprinkling a small handful of bacon crumbles to the top. Not too much. You only need a sprinkle. So good
cheers. 🙂
LOVE this idea Tamera!
Thanks so much 🙂
This chicken Alfredo casserole sounds fantastic! I was just saying to myself – “You need to find a new chicken casserole recipe!” Thanks a million!
Looks delicious
I do not have a printer or computer. I found this recipe on my phone. Is there some way I can store the recipe on my phone somewhere?
Hi Sandi!
You can, but it will depend on what type/brand of phone you have.
If you have an iPhone, you can Save as a PDF. This method creates a clean, printable version of the recipe:
1. Open the recipe in Safari.
2. Tap the Share icon (the square with an arrow pointing up).
3. Scroll down and tap Print (even without a printer).
4. In the print preview screen, use two fingers to zoom in on the preview — this opens the recipe as a full-screen PDF.
5. Tap the Share icon again and select Save to Files.
6. Choose your preferred folder and tap Save.
OR Add to Notes. This method is great for adding personal notes or tweaks:
1. Open the recipe in Safari.
2. Tap the Share icon.
3. Select Notes.
4. You can add a title, description, or comments before saving.
5. Tap Save to store it in your Notes app.
If you have an android: Save as a PDF. This method creates a clean, downloadable version of the recipe:
1. Open the recipe in Chrome (or your preferred browser).
2. Tap the three dots (menu) in the top-right corner.
3. Select Share and then tap Print.
4. In the print menu, select Save as PDF instead of a printer.
5. Tap the Download icon or Save button and choose a folder location.
Hope this helps!
In the past, I’ve had a hard time finding a good Alfredo sauce. What brand do you use?
Hi, Madelyn!
I’m not sure about Kim, but if I don’t make my own sauce, I always use Rao’s. My mom is a big Bertolli’s fan.
Hi, I was wondering if I could use can chicken breast instead of fresh chicken breast. Thank you
Hi Bridget!
Yes, you will need two 12.5-ounce cans of chicken.
Here’s what to do:
1. Drain the liquid from the cans and give the chicken a quick rinse to remove any excess salt or brine.
2. If there are any large chunks, use a fork to shred or flake the chicken into smaller pieces.
3. Skip the step of cooking the chicken in the skillet. Add the shredded canned chicken when mixing everything together in the large bowl (step 4).
4. Continue from step 5
I would like this recipe sent to my email , thanks
Hi, Judith!
I’ve emailed the recipe to you!
In the future, you can also enter your email in one of those fields that says “Want to save this recipe?” to email it to yourself. 🙂
Not that I mind doing it for you. I don’t and will always send you things when you ask. But sometimes it may take us a little while to see your comment, and you may want the recipe before we do. 🙂
I made a few changes. I salt and peppered the chicken before cooking. I lightly salted. I added some Italian seasoning also. I used some Italian blend cheese in place of some of the mozzarella cheese. I felt it was a little dry, so when I make it again I will use more Alfredo sauce and possibly garlic and onion powder. I would have liked more flavor. From the other comments, I see I’m not the only one who feels this way. All in all, this is a good recipe. I took it to a potluck and ended up giving the few leftovers to someone who came up to me and told me how much she liked it.
how many cups of chicken, how much pasta and how much sauce should be used for this recipe please.
Hi, Sandi!
I use a 16-ounce package of pasta.
As for pasta sauce, a standard size jar of Alfredo is 16 ounces. However, I always use a big jar because I like a LOT of sauce. I typically use at least a 22-ounce jar.
Chicken is 3 breasts, which is approximately … maybe 3 to 4 cups? I’d say that’s a good estimate. Hope that helps! 🙂
I altered the recipe… did more Alfredo sauce … added garlic powder and onion powder. It was amazing!
Nothing wrong with extra sauce! I looooooooove a saucy pasta. Sounds delicious!
I altered the recipe a little bit and also used 2 jars of Alfredo sauce…just love the creaminess! It was delicious.
I’m big on sauce, too. Whenever I make pasta, I always want a ton of sauce.
This recipe was simple and delicious. I added chopped broccoli. Will be making this again!