Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe
This creamy chicken Alfredo casserole is a comforting, delicious dish that comes together quickly using rotisserie chicken and ready-made sauces. Perfect for busy weeknights, it layers tender spinach, flavorful pesto, and cheesy pasta, then bakes to bubbly perfection in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Total Time: 50 mins
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 (6-oz.) package fresh baby spinach, chopped
- 2 Tbsp. thinly sliced fresh basil
Sauces and Liquids
- 1/3 cup refrigerated pesto sauce
- 1 (15-oz.) jar Alfredo sauce
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
Protein and Dairy
- 2 1/2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
- 4 oz. pre-shredded low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese (about 1 cup)
Pasta
- 12 oz. uncooked penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
Spices
- 1/4 tsp. paprika
Instructions
- Combine spinach and pesto: Preheat your oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, toss together the chopped fresh baby spinach and the refrigerated pesto sauce until the spinach is evenly coated.
- Assemble casserole base: In another bowl, stir the Alfredo sauce and chicken broth together until fully combined. Lightly grease an 11- x 7-inch baking dish, then spread about one-third of the Alfredo mixture (approximately 1/2 cup) evenly on the bottom of the dish. Next, layer half of the spinach and pesto mixture over the sauce.
- Add pasta and chicken layers: In a large bowl, combine the cooked penne pasta, chopped rotisserie chicken, and the remaining Alfredo mixture. Spoon half of this chicken and pasta mixture evenly over the spinach layer in the baking dish.
- Repeat layers: Add the remaining spinach and pesto mixture as the next layer, followed by the remaining chicken, pasta, and Alfredo mixture on top.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly. Remove the dish from the oven, sprinkle the pre-shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top, then return it to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to melt the cheese and heat through.
- Garnish and serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the thinly sliced fresh basil and paprika on top for added flavor and color. Serve warm and enjoy your creamy chicken Alfredo casserole.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor, but you can also use cooked, shredded chicken breast if preferred.
- Fresh spinach can be substituted with frozen chopped spinach—just be sure to thaw and thoroughly drain it before use.
- Feel free to swap penne pasta for other pasta shapes like rigatoni or ziti for a similar texture.
- For a lighter version, consider using a low-fat Alfredo sauce and part-skim cheese.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.