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Creamy Chicken Pasta Casserole - Cozy, Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces short pasta (penne, rotini, or shells)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie works great)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella (or Monterey Jack)
  • 1 cup frozen peas (or broccoli florets, lightly steamed)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for warmth)
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for mild heat)
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs (optional, for crunch)

Method
 

  1. Preheat and prep: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with a little olive oil or nonstick spray.
  2. Cook the pasta: Boil in well-salted water until just shy of al dente (1–2 minutes less than package). Drain and set aside.
  3. Sauté aromatics: In a large skillet, melt butter with olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic for 30 seconds.
  4. Make the roux: Sprinkle flour over onions. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute to remove raw flour taste.
  5. Build the sauce: Whisk in chicken broth slowly, then milk. Simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Reduce heat to low and add cream cheese, stirring until smooth.
  6. Season and cheese: Stir in Parmesan, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes. Taste and season with salt and black pepper. The sauce should be flavorful.
  7. Combine: Add cooked pasta, chicken, and peas (or broccoli) to the sauce. Toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  8. Assemble the casserole: Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with mozzarella. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese if using.
  9. Bake: Bake 18–22 minutes, until the top is melted and bubbly. For extra color, broil 1–2 minutes, watching closely.
  10. Rest and serve: Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.