Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Keep this easy chicken Alfredo casserole recipe on hand when you need a simple dish that doesn’t require a lot of hands-on time. This is a “dump and bake” casserole recipe that uses a single baking dish.

Stir together the pasta, pre-made Alfredo sauce, broth, leftover chicken, cheese and seasonings. Bake for about 30 minutes and serve with salad, or see our variations for an option to include veggies in the bake. You will have dinner on the table in record time, with minimal fuss.

Ingredients for Chicken Alfredo Casserole

• Penne pasta: Combine uncooked pasta with the sauce and the broth and bake in the oven until tender.
• Alfredo sauce: Use two jars (15 oz each) of your favorite prepared Alfredo sauce.
• Chicken broth: Store-bought or homemade chicken broth, along with the Alfredo sauce, provides enough liquid for the pasta to cook right in the oven.
• Cooked chicken: Cubed chicken breast adds a lean protein to this easy casserole.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds plenty of savory flavor.
• Cheese: Combine parmesan and mozzarella cheese to get the best of both cheesy worlds. Parmesan has lots of flavor and mild mozzarella melts beautifully.
• Parsley: Minced parsley is a simple way to add a dash of vibrant green and some brightness to this rich and creamy casserole.

Directions

Step 1: Mix the casserole ingredients

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. Add the pasta, Alfredo sauce, broth, chicken, garlic and seasonings to a greased 13×9 inch baking dish. Stir well until everything is combined and all of the pasta is coated with sauce.

Step 2: Bake the casserole until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

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Cover the dish and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the pasta is al dente. Set oven to broil and uncover the casserole to top it with the cheeses. Broil until the cheese is melted and gooey, with golden-brown edges. Sprinkle the casserole with parsley, if using.

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Chicken Alfredo Casserole Variations

• Use a different pasta shape: We love penne because the short tubes capture a bit of sauce in every bite, but any short and chunky pasta shape, like rotini or radiatore would also work.
• Make it a complete meal with veggies: When combining the casserole ingredients, add any vegetable that will cook in 30 minutes. Small broccoli florets or sliced mushrooms are good candidates.
• Top with tomatoes: Bright tomatoes are an ideal complement to a creamy and garlicky sauce. Before adding cheese, top the casserole with thinly sliced tomatoes, and then sprinkle on the cheese and broil as directed.
• Better with bacon: Stir in cooked, crumbled bacon into the casserole before cooking. If you love that porky flavor but don’t want to add an extra step of cooking bacon, use minced prosciutto instead.

How to Store Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Store leftover chicken Alfredo casserole in the refrigerator. It will last four to five days when wrapped tightly.

Can you make chicken Alfredo casserole ahead of time?

This is an ideal casserole to either stir together a few hours ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to bake. Or, you can bake the casserole, cover and store it for two to three days. Cover and reheat at 350° for 20 to 30 minutes when ready to eat. Uncover it for the last few minutes of baking to make sure cheese is melted.

Chicken Alfredo Casserole Tips

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What are some good sides for chicken Alfredo casserole?

Serve chicken Alfredo casserole with a side that contrasts its rich and creamy texture, like lemon broccoli or a crisp green salad. You can also make soft, chunky breadsticks to sop up all of that garlic cream sauce.

Can you make your own Alfredo sauce?

We love the simplicity of using a store-bought jar of Alfredo sauce, but it’s easy to make your own. Make homemade Alfredo sauce in about 10 minutes by sauteing garlic in butter, and simmering cream and cheese until thick.

What types of chicken work in this casserole?

You can use the chicken of your choice, as long as it is pre-cooked. The casserole cooking time isn’t long enough to cook raw chicken to a safe temperature. If you have leftover baked chicken breasts, poached chicken, cooked thighs or a rotisserie chicken from the store, they work to make this meal come together super-quick.