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Creamy Garlic Parmesan Heavy Cream Chicken Pasta Bake

Creamy garlic parmesan heavy cream chicken pasta bake with penne and tender chicken in a thickened, garlicky cream sauce, then baked until bubbly and golden. This comforting casserole-style pasta bake is an easy crowd meal with minimal hands-on effort.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 780
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta and chicken
  • 1 lb penne pasta Cook to al dente in salted water.
  • 3 cooked, cubed chicken Use about 3 cups cooked chicken pieces.
Creamy garlic parmesan sauce
  • 4 garlic Minced cloves.
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1.5 cup grated parmesan cheese Grated for melting and thickening.
  • 2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese For topping; cover evenly for browning.
Seasoning
  • 1 salt and pepper To taste, for seasoning before serving.

Equipment

  • 1 sheet pan

Method
 

Cook pasta and prepare oven
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cook the penne pasta in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain.
Make the garlic cream sauce
  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and add the garlic, cooking for 1 minute until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the heavy cream, chicken broth, and grated parmesan cheese, simmering until slightly thickened, about 4–5 minutes.
Assemble and bake
  1. Combine the cooked pasta, cooked, cubed chicken, and the sauce in a large baking dish.
  2. Top evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese.
  3. Bake for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden on top.
Finish and serve
  1. Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.

Notes

For best texture, drain the pasta well so it doesn’t thin the cream sauce after baking. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days; reheat in the oven or microwave until hot throughout. Freezing is not recommended because the heavy cream can separate after thawing. Dairy-light swap: use half-and-half in place of heavy cream and add an extra pinch of parmesan for flavor.