Creamy Chicken Alfredo Ziti Bake
A simple and delicious baked pasta dish featuring chicken, bacon, and a homemade Alfredo sauce.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 8
Full Ingredient List
- 450 g uncooked ziti or penne noodles
- 2 cups shredded chicken, cooked
- 1/4 cup chopped bacon, cooked (about 5-6 pieces)
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese
- parsley for garnish
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3 tbsp flour
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
- salt to taste
- pepper to taste
Pasta and Main Dish
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 450 g | ziti or penne noodles | uncooked | rigatoni |
| 2 cups | shredded chicken | cooked | turkey |
| 1/4 cup | chopped bacon | cooked (about 5-6 pieces) | turkey bacon |
| 1.5 cups | mozzarella cheese | cheddar cheese | |
| to garnish | parsley |
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), and grease a casserole dish with cooking spray. (Tips: Ensure the dish is well-coated to prevent sticking.)
- Step 2: Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. (Tips: Rinse with cold water after draining to stop the cooking process.)
- Step 3: In a large pot, combine cooked pasta, Alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, and chopped bacon. (Tips: Toss gently to ensure even distribution of sauce and ingredients.)
- Step 4: Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with half of the mozzarella cheese. (Tips: Spread evenly for uniform baking.)
- Step 5: Add the remaining pasta mixture and top with the rest of the mozzarella cheese. (Tips: Press down lightly to compact the ingredients.)
- Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden. (Tips: Make sure to check that the middle is hot before serving.)
- Step 7: Garnish with parsley before serving. (Tips: Chop parsley finely for even distribution.)
Homemade Alfredo Sauce
Tools and Equipment
Ingredients
| Quantity | Name | Preparation Notes | Substitutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 cup | butter | ||
| 3 tbsp | flour | ||
| 3 cloves | garlic | minced | garlic powder |
| 2 cups | heavy cream | half-and-half | |
| 2 cups | freshly grated parmesan cheese | grana padano | |
| to taste | salt | ||
| to taste | pepper |
Instructions
- Step 1: In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute. (Tips: Stir constantly to prevent the garlic from burning.)
- Step 2: Add flour to the butter and garlic, stirring for another minute. (Tips: Whisk continuously to avoid lumps.)
- Step 3: Gradually add heavy cream and parmesan, whisking until smooth. Bring to a simmer and allow it to thicken. (Tips: Simmer for no longer than 2 minutes to prevent over-thickening.)
- Step 4: Season with salt and pepper to taste, then remove from heat. (Tips: Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.)
Additional Information
Notes: For a lighter option, replace 1 cup of cream with chicken broth. You can also freeze this dish for later; ensure it's thoroughly thawed before reheating.