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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake - Easy Family Dinner Recipe

This creamy pesto chicken pasta bake is the ultimate comfort food that comes together in just 45 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and rich pesto cream sauce topped with melted mozzarella.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cubed chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
  3. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Reduce heat to medium and stir in the pesto and heavy cream. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
  4. Combine the cooked pasta with the pesto chicken mixture in the skillet. Stir in half of the mozzarella cheese and all of the Parmesan cheese until well combined.
  5. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Broil for 1-2 minutes for a golden brown top if desired. Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, toast the pasta in the oven for 5 minutes before boiling. Use fresh basil pesto for the best flavor, but store-bought works great too. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving for easier slicing. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.