How to Make Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole - A Step-by-Step Guide

There's nothing quite like a comforting casserole to warm you up on a cold evening, and this Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole is sure to do just that. With its rich, creamy pesto sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked penne pasta, this dish is a surefire crowd-pleaser that your whole family will love.

One of the best things about this recipe is that it’s easy to make and doesn't require a lot of time in the kitchen. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of prep work, y...

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Ingredients

  • ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta
  • 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
  • 4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) jar pesto sauce
  • 1 ½ cups milk

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr
  • Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins
  • Servings: 12
  • Yield: 12 servings

  • Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a small bowl until evenly moistened; set aside.
  • Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  • Meanwhile, combine the chicken in a bowl with the Italian cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and milk. Stir in the pasta once done, and scoop into the prepared baking dish. Top with the bread crumb mixture.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.
  • Nutrition

    760 cal.

    • Total Fat: 47g
    • Saturated Fat: 18g
    • Cholesterol: 114mg
    • Sodium: 1210mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 41g
    • Dietary Fiber: 3g
    • Total Sugars: 4g
    • Protein: 45g
    • Vitamin C: 8mg
    • Calcium: 684mg
    • Iron: 4mg
    • Potassium: 542mg