Cheesy Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake | Creamy Weeknight Meal
A creamy, cheesy pasta bake loaded with pesto, juicy chicken, and melty mozzarella — perfect for a family-friendly dinner that’s easy to prep and even better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2½ cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup pesto
- ½ cup cream cheese (optional)
- 1 cup mozzarella (plus 1 cup for topping)
- ¼ cup grated parmesan (plus 2 tbsp for topping)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 cup baby spinach or cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook pasta al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, sauté garlic in butter. Add cream, pesto, and cream cheese. Simmer until smooth.
- Mix pasta, chicken, sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, and optional veggies.
- Spread in greased baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes. Broil 2 minutes for golden top.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Great for make-ahead or freezer meals.
- Add roasted veggies for a vegetarian version.
- Use gluten-free or dairy-free alternatives as needed.