Go Back
creamy-pesto-chicken-pasta-bake---easy-recipe_feature

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake - Easy Weeknight Family Dinner

This creamy pesto chicken pasta bake combines tender chicken, vibrant basil pesto, and gooey melted cheese in an easy oven-baked casserole. Perfect for busy weeknights, it requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor that the whole family will love.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 12 oz penne pasta or your favorite short pasta
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
  • 1 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
  2. While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Add minced garlic during the last minute of cooking.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, pesto, heavy cream, 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir gently until everything is well coated with the creamy pesto sauce.
  4. Transfer the pasta mixture to a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and arrange cherry tomatoes cut-side up over the top.
  5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown. For extra browning, broil for the last 2-3 minutes.
  6. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

Make-ahead magic: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance. Cook pasta al dente since it continues cooking in oven. Customize with spinach, mushrooms, or roasted red peppers. Freezes beautifully for up to 3 months.