Delight in the simplicity of the Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole, featuring main ingredients like rotisserie chicken, penne pasta, Alfredo sauce, and a blend of mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses. Perfect for a hassle-free dinner that promises cheesy, comforting flavors without the need to boil pasta first!
Every family has that one recipe that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, and for us, it’s the Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole. This dish takes me back to those bustling weekday evenings when my mom, balancing a full-time job and two kids, needed something quick yet comforting to appease our hungry, picky appetites. She stumbled upon this no-fuss recipe during a late-night Pinterest expedition. With its promise of minimal prep and maximum flavor, it became our go-to. Laughing and sharing stories around the steamy, cheesy goodness became our little tradition, making this casserole much more than just a meal—it’s a vessel of cherished memories and belly laughs, a true testament to my mom’s love and ingenuity in the kitchen.
Why You’ll Love This Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Introducing the ultimate weeknight lifesaver: the Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole! This dish isn’t just a meal; it’s your best friend on a busy day.
- Effortless Preparation: Forget the tedious prep! This recipe simplifies your cooking process by eliminating the need to boil pasta separately. Just dump all your ingredients together and let the oven do the work.
- Time-Saving: From pantry to table in just one hour, with only 15 minutes of actual hands-on time, giving you back precious moments to spend with your family or just unwind.
- Family-Friendly: Picky eaters at home? No worries! The familiar flavors of chicken, cheese, and pasta are a guaranteed hit among kids and adults alike.
- Versatile: Easily adaptable with various ingredients you have on hand, this casserole is a wonderful canvas for your culinary creativity.
- Comforting: Each forkful offers a cheesy, creamy delight that epitomizes comfort food, perfect for any day of the year.
Ingredients Notes
Let’s break down the components of your soon-to-be favorite Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole, ensuring you get the most out of each ingredient!
- Chicken: Opt for rotisserie chicken for a quicker fix, or boil some chicken breasts if you’re starting from scratch. Either way, you get your protein fix!
- Penne Pasta: Ideal for holding onto that creamy Alfredo sauce. No need to cook it first, just let it bake to perfection in the casserole.
- Alfredo Sauce: A jar of your favorite brand simplifies the sauce situation. Feel free to enhance it with spices or herbs you love.
- Cheeses: A mix of mozzarella for that beautiful stretch and Cheddar for a sharper depth of flavor enhances the gooey, melty texture of your casserole.
- Milk: This thins out the sauce slightly, allowing it to better coat the pasta and chicken.
- Onion and Garlic Powders: These provide a quick and easy way to infuse the dish with robust flavors without the hassle of chopping.
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How To Make Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Let’s dive into making your Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole, ensuring each step is clear and simple to follow.
- Step 1: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. This optimal temperature ensures that everything bakes evenly, melting the cheese to a perfect gooeyness and cooking the pasta just right.
- Step 2: Cook your chicken. If using raw chicken breasts, place them in a pot, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and let simmer until cooked through. This method ensures your chicken is juicy and tender, ready to be chopped into bite-sized pieces.
- Step 3: In parallel, cook your penne pasta in a pot of boiling salted water until al dente. You want the pasta to be cooked but still firm since it will continue to soften as it bakes in the casserole.
- Step 4: Chop the cooked chicken into pieces. This size ensures every bite of your casserole has a delicious piece of chicken, making the meal satisfying and protein-rich.
- Step 5: Combine the chicken, cooked pasta, Alfredo sauce, half of the mozzarella cheese, milk, onion powder, and garlic powder in a large bowl. Mix well to ensure each piece of pasta and chicken is beautifully coated with the creamy sauce, setting the stage for a uniformly scrumptious casserole.
- Step 6: Transfer this mixture into a 1 1/2-quart casserole dish. Spread it out evenly, then sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Cheddar cheese over the top. This creates a beautifully cheesy top layer that will brown and bubble to perfection.
- Step 7: Bake in your preheated oven for about 25 minutes. Watch as the dish transforms into a bubbly, golden-brown masterpiece of meltiness and flavor.
Storage Options
Once you’ve enjoyed the warm, comforting embrace of the Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole, handling leftovers is a breeze. This casserole can be refrigerated for up to three days, ensuring that its flavors continue to meld beautifully in airtight conditions. Simply cover your dish with foil or transfer servings to an airtight container. For a longer storage solution, freeze the casserole for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in the oven or microwave for a quick, delicious meal that revives the dish’s original charm and warmth.
Variations and Substitutions for the Recipe
The beauty of the Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole lies in its versatility, making it easy to adapt based on dietary preferences or whatever you have on hand!
- Protein Swap: Instead of chicken, try cooked sausage slices, turkey, or even shrimp for a delightful twist.
- Cheese Choices: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like Gruyere for a nutty flavor, or a touch of Parmesan for a salty, cheesy bite.
- Pasta Varieties: Beyond penne, any medium pasta like rotini or farfalle works wonderfully, adjusting baking times as needed.
- Veggie Additions: Mix in steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach to incorporate some greens and additional flavors.
- Dairy-Free Options: Use dairy-free Alfredo sauce and cheese substitutes to cater to lactose intolerant diets without sacrificing the creamy texture and taste.
Dump and Bake Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Ingredients
- Three halves of skinless boneless chicken breast
- One 8-ounce package of penne pasta
- 8 ounces of Alfredo sauce
- 1.5 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese to be divided
- 1/4 cup of milk
- 1 tablespoon of onion powder
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- 1 cup of shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to a temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to ensure it reaches the correct temperature for baking the casserole.
- Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the chicken to cook until it is no longer pink inside and the juices run clear, which should take approximately 15 minutes.
- Cook the Pasta: Simultaneously, bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook it, stirring occasionally, until it is tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta.
- Prepare Chicken for Casserole: After cooking, drain the chicken and cut it into bite-sized pieces suitable for the casserole.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cooked penne pasta, Alfredo sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, milk, onion powder, and garlic powder. Mix these ingredients thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixed ingredients into a 1.5-quart casserole dish. Evenly distribute the mixture and smooth the top. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and all of the Cheddar cheese over the mixture to create a cheese topping.
- Bake the Casserole: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.
