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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake: Your New Family Favorite Dinner

This creamy pesto chicken pasta bake is a perfect weeknight dinner that combines tender chicken, fragrant basil pesto, al dente pasta, and melty cheese in one comforting casserole. With its perfect balance of textures and flavors, this versatile recipe adapts beautifully for family dinners or meal prepping.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 1 lb penne pasta or rigatoni
  • 1.5 lbs boneless chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook the pasta according to package directions, but reduce cooking time by 1-2 minutes since it will continue cooking in the oven.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Add cubed chicken to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook until chicken is golden brown and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken mixture, pesto, heavy cream, 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
  5. Transfer the mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining mozzarella cheese and halved cherry tomatoes.
  6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly, and the top is lightly golden brown. Broil for the last 2 minutes if you prefer extra browning.
  7. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Notes

Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the entire casserole up to the baking step, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 5-10 minutes to baking time when cooking from cold. Pasta Perfection: Always slightly undercook your pasta to prevent it from becoming mushy during baking. The residual heat will finish the cooking process perfectly.