Cheesy Chicken Broth Pasta Bake
Cheesy Chicken Broth Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 8 ounces short pasta, such as penne or rotini
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk, whole or 2%
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping and Garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook the short pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and onion mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to create a roux, ensuring it doesn't brown.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then slowly whisk in the milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min
- 5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min
- 6
Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
⏱️ 2 min
- 8
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pasta bake is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Cheesy Chicken Broth Pasta Bake
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
- 8 ounces short pasta, such as penne or rotini
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk, whole or 2%
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Topping and Garnish
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cook the short pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
⏱️ 15 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté until softened, about 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the butter and onion mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to create a roux, ensuring it doesn't brown.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Gradually whisk in the chicken broth until smooth, then slowly whisk in the milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly, which should take about 3 to 5 minutes.
⏱️ 5 min - 5
Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper until the cheeses are completely melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
⏱️ 3 min - 6
Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the cheese sauce in the skillet. Stir gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
If your skillet is not oven-safe, transfer the pasta mixture to a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a small bowl, combine the grated Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the top of the pasta.
⏱️ 2 min - 8
Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pasta bake is bubbly around the edges and the topping is golden brown and crispy.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Remove from the oven and let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired.
⏱️ 5 min