Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake | Easy Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Pasta Bake

• Ultra creamy texture
• Packed with fresh basil pesto flavor
• Family-friendly and kid-approved
• Perfect for meal prep
• Freezer-friendly
• Ready in under 1 hour

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality comfort dish with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
• 1 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Stir in heavy cream and chicken broth. Simmer gently for 3–4 minutes.
5. Add pesto, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Stir until smooth and creamy.
6. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes (if using), and sauce. Toss until evenly coated.
7. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
8. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly over the top.
9. Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Broil for 2–3 minutes for golden brown top if desired.
11. Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach
• Use rotisserie chicken for convenience
• Substitute half-and-half for lighter option
• Add red pepper flakes for heat
• Use sun-dried tomatoes for deeper flavor

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator: Store up to 4 days in airtight container
Freezer: Freeze up to 2 months
Reheat: Bake at 350°F until heated through or microwave individual portions

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake

A rich and cheesy baked pasta dish made with tender chicken, basil pesto, cream sauce, and melted mozzarella.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Calories: 520

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

Pasta Bake

• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast shredded or cubed
• 1 cup basil pesto
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 0.5 cup chicken broth
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 0.5 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved, optional

Equipment

• Large pot
• Skillet
• Mixing bowl
• 9×13-inch baking dish

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease baking dish.
2. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain.
3. Sauté garlic in olive oil.
4. Add cream and broth. Simmer.
5. Stir in pesto and seasonings.
6. Combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, and sauce.
7. Transfer to baking dish and top with cheeses.
8. Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly.

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken for faster prep. Add vegetables for variation.