Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole
Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole is a cheesy baked pasta dish with juicy chicken, fragrant pesto, and gooey mozzarella. It’s creamy, filling, and incredibly easy to prepare, making it perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
- 3 cups penne pasta, cooked al dente
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
- 1 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook penne pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix pesto, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Add cooked chicken and pasta to the sauce mixture. Stir until well combined.
- Transfer mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan evenly on top.
- If desired, mix breadcrumbs with melted butter and spread over the cheese layer.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes until hot, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save prep time.
- Substitute penne with rigatoni or fusilli.
- Adjust pesto amount for stronger or milder flavour.
- Lighten with low-fat cheese and Greek yogurt.
- Double recipe for potlucks or family gatherings.