Comforting Cheddar Chicken Pasta Bake
This tasty cheesy chicken pasta bake will have the whole family running to the table.
This delicious Cheddar chicken pasta bake is the perfect weeknight dinner. It comes together in no time at all, and yet it's incredibly comforting and satisfying. Springy fusilli noodles are smothered in cheesy sauce and blended with tender bites of chicken. And then the whole casserole is topped with a layer of gooey Cheddar cheese. Everyone is going to be thrilled when they smell this cheesy chicken pasta casserole cooking in the oven. And they'll be even happier when it's finally time to eat.
From the Chef: "I love the texture of fusilli noodles. The little spiral grooves are ideal for holding sauce and, when tossed with chicken and hot cheese sauce, they are some of the most comforting noodles around. This warm and cozy casserole is a countryside classic." - Addie Gundry
Serves6
Preparation Time20 min
Cooking Time40 min
Ingredients
- 14 ounces fusilli pasta
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can Cheddar cheese soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast meat
- 3 tablespoons Italian-style bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Fresh thyme, for garnish (optional)
Comforting Cheddar Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350ºF and lightly coat a 9 × 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
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Bring a large pot of water to a boil, add the fusilli and 1 teaspoon salt, and cook until al dente. Drain and toss with the olive oil.
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In a large bowl, combine the soup, sour cream, cheese, and basil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir in the chicken and cooked fusilli. Spoon into the baking dish. Mix the bread crumbs and parsley and sprinkle on top, then drizzle with the melted butter. Bake for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbling. Serve, garnished with fresh thyme if desired.
Notes
To cook the chicken, place 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts on a baking sheet and bake at 350ºF for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and chop.
