Speedy & Satisfying: The Ultimate Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
In the whirlwind of busy weeknights, finding a recipe that promises deliciousness without demanding hours in the kitchen feels like striking gold. Enter the Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole – a true culinary hero designed for efficiency and exceptional flavor. This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a wonderfully creamy, hearty, and effortlessly prepared meal that will quickly become a cherished staple in your home.
Imagine succulent, juicy chicken mingling with perfectly cooked pasta, all swimming in a rich, garlicky, and incredibly creamy sauce. This casserole delivers on all fronts: comfort, convenience, and a taste that will have everyone asking for seconds. Its beauty lies in its simplicity – true to its “dump and go” name, you combine most ingredients directly in the baking dish, minimizing prep and cleanup. This streamlined approach makes it an ideal choice for both seasoned cooks and kitchen novices alike, proving that extraordinary meals don’t always require extraordinary effort.
One of the many reasons to adore this recipe is its adaptability, especially when it comes to leveraging ingredients you already have on hand. For instance, using leftover rotisserie chicken transforms an already easy recipe into an absolute breeze, saving you precious time and adding a layer of savory depth without extra cooking. And if you’re lucky enough to have leftovers (which can be a challenge with a dish this good!), they reheat beautifully, making it perfect for meal prepping throughout the week. Get ready to embrace a new favorite that simplifies your dinner routine without compromising on flavor.
Essential Ingredients for Your Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole
Crafting this incredible Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole relies on a blend of readily available ingredients that come together to create a symphony of flavors and textures. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving that perfect creamy consistency and comforting taste. Here’s what you’ll need, along with a few tips for optimal results and potential variations:
- Noodles: For a delightful texture that holds the creamy sauce beautifully, penne pasta is a fantastic choice. However, feel free to use other short pasta shapes like rotini, ziti, or cavatappi. The key is to use a shape that can effectively absorb the liquid and cook al dente in the casserole.
- Sauce: The heart of the creaminess comes from a jar of Alfredo sauce. This convenient pantry staple provides a rich, savory base that ties all the flavors together. For an extra punch of garlic, consider adding a teaspoon of garlic powder or a clove of fresh minced garlic to the sauce mixture.
- Milk: Whole milk is recommended for its richness, contributing to a truly luxurious and creamy texture in your casserole. If you prefer, 2% milk can also be used, though the final dish might be slightly less decadent.
- Broth: Chicken broth is essential here, providing the liquid needed to cook the uncooked pasta right in the baking dish while infusing it with savory chicken flavor. You can use low-sodium broth to control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Chicken: The beauty of this recipe shines with cooked shredded or chopped chicken. Leftover rotisserie chicken is your best friend for ultimate convenience, but canned chicken breasts or freshly cooked and shredded chicken work just as well.
- Cheese: A trio of cheeses elevates this casserole. You’ll need softened cream cheese for an extra layer of velvety smoothness in the sauce, alongside shredded mozzarella cheese for its melt-factor and stretchy goodness, and shredded Parmesan cheese for that sharp, salty, umami kick on top.
- Vegetable: For a quick and easy addition of greens, frozen broccoli florets are perfect. They cook right in the casserole, absorbing the flavors and adding a pleasant bite. No need to thaw beforehand!
Crafting Your Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole: Step-by-Step
Preparing this “dump and go” casserole is incredibly straightforward, designed to get a satisfying meal on your table with minimal fuss. Follow these simple steps, and you’ll be enjoying a hearty, flavorful dinner in no time:
First things first, preheat your oven to a comforting 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). This ensures your oven is perfectly ready to bake your casserole to golden, bubbly perfection as soon as it’s assembled.
Next, take a 9×13 inch baking dish – the perfect size for feeding a family – and lightly spray it with non-stick cooking spray. This crucial step prevents sticking and makes for easy serving and even easier cleanup.
Now, for the magic of the “dump and go” method: into your prepared baking dish, combine the uncooked pasta, the luscious Alfredo sauce, whole milk, savory chicken broth, and your cooked shredded or chopped chicken. Give everything a good stir until all ingredients are thoroughly combined and the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil – this creates a steaming environment that allows the pasta to cook perfectly. Bake for an initial 45 minutes.
After 45 minutes, carefully remove the foil. The pasta should be mostly cooked, and the sauce should have thickened beautifully. Now it’s time to add another layer of creamy richness: stir in the softened cream cheese until it’s fully melted and incorporated into the creamy garlic sauce. (A quick microwave zap can help soften cream cheese if it’s straight from the fridge.) Then, stir in the frozen broccoli florets. The residual heat from the casserole will help them cook to tender-crisp perfection.
Finally, crown your casserole with a generous layer of shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and beautifully golden brown. Once out of the oven, let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly. Serve hot, perhaps with a slice of crusty bread or a fresh side salad, and prepare to enjoy a truly satisfying meal!
Storing and Reheating Your Comfort Food Casserole
One of the fantastic benefits of this creamy chicken pasta casserole is how well it stores, making it an excellent option for meal prep or enjoying leftovers. Proper storage ensures you can savor its comforting flavors for days to come.
Fridge: Any remaining portions of this delicious and creamy dish can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Simply transfer the leftovers to an airtight container. Alternatively, if your casserole dish has a lid, you can cover it tightly and place the entire dish in the fridge. When reheating, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave, often with a splash of milk or broth to restore creaminess. For larger amounts, reheating in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through is best, covered with foil to prevent drying out.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Your Easy Chicken Pasta Casserole:
Do I need to cook the pasta ahead of time?
Absolutely NOT! This is one of the most brilliant aspects of this garlic parmesan chicken pasta casserole. The “dump and go” method specifically means you don’t need to boil the pasta separately. When you combine the uncooked pasta with enough chicken broth (or chicken stock) and milk in the casserole dish, it provides ample liquid for the pasta to absorb and cook to a perfect al dente texture right in the oven, alongside the tender chicken and creamy sauce. This not only saves you a pot to wash but also allows the pasta to soak up all the delicious flavors as it cooks, resulting in a more integrated and flavorful dish.
Choosing the best type of chicken to use:
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility regarding chicken. For ultimate convenience, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a game-changer; simply shred or chop it and add it directly to the casserole. If you prefer to cook your own, canned chicken breasts are a quick and easy option. Alternatively, you can place a few boneless, skinless chicken breasts in an Instant Pot or slow cooker, cook them until tender, then shred or chop them to incorporate into the casserole. Any method that provides pre-cooked chicken works perfectly and saves you valuable time.
The secret to the creamy sauce in this baked recipe:
The wonderfully rich and flavorful sauce is a highlight of this bake. By combining a jar of store-bought Alfredo sauce with chicken broth and the addition of softened cream cheese, you achieve an incredibly delicious and decadent parmesan sauce. The cream cheese melts into the mixture, adding a velvety texture and an extra layer of savory tang, all without the need for heavy cream. This combination creates a sauce that perfectly coats every piece of pasta and chicken, making for an unforgettable weeknight dinner that tastes far more complex than it is.
Elevate your meal by adding more vegetables:
While frozen broccoli adds a great touch, this recipe is incredibly versatile for incorporating more vegetables. To boost the nutritional content and add more flavor, consider stirring in some fresh spinach (which will wilt down as it cooks), fresh green beans, or diced red peppers. For tougher vegetables like carrots or bell peppers, you might want to sauté them lightly beforehand to ensure they reach your desired tenderness. These additions make this simple recipe even more vibrant and ensure the whole family enjoys a well-rounded meal.
Spice it up or customize flavors:
Don’t hesitate to experiment with seasonings to match your taste preferences. A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick, while a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, onion powder, or a dash of black pepper can enhance the overall aromatic profile. You could also stir in some fresh parsley or chives at the end for a pop of freshness and color. Feel free to swap Parmesan for a different hard cheese like Asiago, or add a blend for more complex cheesy notes.
Serving suggestions for a complete meal:
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple accompaniments. A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette offers a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta. Warm garlic bread or toasted baguettes are perfect for soaking up every last drop of the creamy sauce. For a heartier side, roasted asparagus or steamed green beans would complement the dish beautifully.
Meal prepping and batch cooking:
This casserole is excellent for meal prep. You can assemble the dish (excluding the final cheese topping and uncooked broccoli) up to a day in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate. Add the broccoli and cheese just before baking. If you’re feeding a crowd or want to stock your freezer, this recipe doubles easily – just ensure you use a larger baking dish or two separate ones. Baked leftovers can also be portioned into individual containers for quick lunches throughout the week.
Discover More Delicious Chicken Recipes:
If you’ve enjoyed the simplicity and flavor of this Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole, you’re in for a treat! We have a wide array of other fantastic chicken recipes that are equally delightful and often just as easy to prepare. Explore these options to keep your meal rotation exciting and flavorful:
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken with Zucchini: A lighter yet incredibly flavorful dish combining tender chicken with healthy zucchini, all coated in a savory garlic parmesan sauce.
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas: Dive into Tex-Mex flavors with these easy-to-make enchiladas, bursting with zesty green chiles and succulent chicken.
- Rotisserie Chicken Bacon Alfredo: For those who love a rich and indulgent pasta, this recipe combines the convenience of rotisserie chicken with crispy bacon and a luscious Alfredo sauce.
- Cheesy Chicken Taquitos: Perfect for appetizers or a fun family dinner, these crispy, cheesy taquitos are a crowd-pleaser and surprisingly simple to prepare.
Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole
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Ingredients
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 14.5 oz jar Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup milk
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded or chopped chicken
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 12 oz bag frozen broccoli
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non stick spray
- To the baking dish add in the pasta, Alfredo sauce, milk, broth, and chicken stir well. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and stir in the softened cream cheese. (I like to soften mine in the microwave) then stir in the frozen broccoli.
- Top with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
We hope this Dump and Go Garlic Chicken Pasta Casserole becomes a treasured recipe in your collection. Its unbeatable combination of ease, incredible flavor, and satisfying heartiness makes it truly perfect for any busy weeknight. It’s a testament to the fact that delicious, home-cooked meals don’t have to be complicated.
Whether you’re looking for a quick dinner solution, a comforting meal to share with loved ones, or a fantastic dish for meal prepping, this casserole delivers every time. Give it a try, gather your family around the table, and savor the simple joy of a truly delicious homemade meal. We’re confident it will earn a permanent spot on your weekly menu.
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