Creamy Chicken and Pasta Casserole

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with this Creamy Chicken and Pasta Casserole, a family-friendly dish that’s as satisfying as it is simple to make. Tender rigatoni pasta and juicy, shredded chicken are enveloped in a luscious homemade béchamel sauce, flavored with garlic, onion, and a blend of mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses for a rich, creamy texture. Finished with a golden, crispy topping of seasoned panko breadcrumbs baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole strikes the perfect balance of hearty and crispy. Ready in just an hour and ideal for feeding a hungry crowd, this cozy dinner recipe is guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite. Serve it with a fresh side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal everyone will love! Keywords: creamy chicken casserole, pasta casserole, easy weeknight dinner, comfort food, baked pasta.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups shredded Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 cups panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish and set aside.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rigatoni pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the chicken breasts until fully cooked, about 6-8 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet, let cool slightly, and shred into bite-sized pieces.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the milk and chicken broth, ensuring there are no lumps. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, until it thickens, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in garlic powder, onion powder, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Remove from heat and mix in 1 ½ cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese and the Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth.

Step 7

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and the creamy sauce. Mix well to evenly coat the pasta and chicken.

Step 8

Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese on top.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Evenly sprinkle the breadcrumbs over the cheese layer in the casserole dish.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.

Step 11

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy your Creamy Chicken and Pasta Casserole!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1798.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2899.2

Total Fat 137.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 69.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.7g
Cholesterol 633.3mg	0%
Sodium 5774.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 179.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 8.7g	0%
Total Sugars 30.0g
Protein 226.8g	0%

Vitamin D 218.2IU	0%
Calcium 2794.8mg	0%
Iron 10.8mg	0%
Potassium 2112.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.3%

Protein: 31.7%

Carbs: 25.1%