Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake (Printable)

Tender chicken and pasta in rich pesto cream sauce, topped with melted cheese

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta and Chicken

01 - 12 oz short pasta (penne or rigatoni)
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (about 10 oz)

→ Creamy Pesto Sauce

03 - 1 cup heavy cream
04 - 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade; nut-free if needed)
05 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
09 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Vegetables

10 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
11 - 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped

→ Topping

12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Boil pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions. Drain well.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, combine heavy cream, pesto, chicken broth, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2–3 minutes.
04 - Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and sauce is smooth.
05 - Add cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and spinach to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese.
07 - Bake for 20–25 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
08 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra basil if desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • This recipe transforms simple ingredients into something that tastes like it came from an Italian restaurant
  • The creamy pesto sauce clings to every piece of pasta and chicken so no bite is boring
  • You can assemble it ahead and bake when you are ready, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual dinner parties
02 -
  • Undercook the pasta by 2 minutes or it will turn mushy in the oven
  • The sauce will look thin at first but thickens beautifully as it bakes
  • Room temperature ingredients mix more smoothly into the cream sauce
03 -
  • Grate your own Parmesan cheese for the best melting and flavor
  • Use pesto without nuts if serving anyone with allergies and always double check the label

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