Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta – The Ultimate Comfort Dish
This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food—loaded with tender chicken, a velvety pesto cream sauce, and melty cheese. Easy to make and perfect for cozy dinners.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
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12 oz penne or rotini pasta
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2–3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
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½ cup basil pesto
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1½ cups heavy cream
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½ cup cream cheese
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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½ cup grated parmesan cheese
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1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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1 cup fresh spinach (optional)
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¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (optional)
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Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook pasta al dente and drain.
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In a skillet, sauté garlic in olive oil. Add cream, cream cheese, pesto, and parmesan. Stir until smooth.
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Combine pasta, chicken, spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes with the sauce. Mix well.
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Transfer to greased 9×13 baking dish. Top with mozzarella and extra parmesan.
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Bake 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden. Broil 1–2 minutes for crisp top.
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Rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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Can be assembled ahead and baked later
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Freeze before baking for up to 3 months
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Use rotisserie chicken for convenience
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Add chili flakes or veggies for variation