Description
Cheesy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake
Comforting, cheesy, and ready fast
Time
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Cook: 25 minutes
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Total: 35 minutes
Ingredients
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2 cups cooked pasta (penne or fusilli)
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2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
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½ cup basil pesto
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1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
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½ cup milk or cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
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½ cup breadcrumbs or panko
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Olive oil spray or drizzle
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
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Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease an 8×8 or 9×9 baking dish. -
Mix Filling
In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, pesto, milk/cream (if using),
½ cup mozzarella, and ¼ cup Parmesan.
Season lightly with salt and pepper. -
Assemble
Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
Top with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan. -
Add Topping
Sprinkle breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
Lightly spray or drizzle with olive oil. -
Bake
Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until bubbly and golden brown. -
Rest & Serve
Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
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Cook pasta al dente to avoid mushy texture
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Add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes if desired
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Broil 1–2 minutes for extra crispy topping (watch closely)