Description
Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake is a bold and creamy casserole packed with flavors from Cajun seasoning, tender chicken, pasta, and a rich cream cheese sauce. This hearty and satisfying baked pasta dish is the perfect combination of creamy, spicy, and cheesy goodness. It’s a great option for a comforting dinner or to feed a crowd. With a simple prep and a few ingredients, this dish will be a family favorite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 8 oz penne pasta (or your favorite pasta)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning (or more to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. - Cook the Pasta:
In a large pot, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside. - Prepare the Sauce:
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute, until fragrant. - Add Cream Cheese and Cream:
Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet, stirring to melt it down. Once melted, pour in the heavy cream and stir until smooth and creamy. Add the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper, then stir until combined. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken. - Combine Chicken and Pasta:
Stir in the shredded or cubed chicken and cooked pasta, mixing everything together until well combined and evenly coated in the creamy Cajun sauce. - Assemble the Bake:
Transfer the chicken and pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top. - Add Breadcrumbs (Optional):
If desired, sprinkle breadcrumbs over the cheese for a crispy topping. - Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown. - Serve:
Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or increase the Cajun seasoning.
- You can substitute the chicken with ground turkey or sausage for a different variation.
- To make the dish lighter, you can substitute the cream cheese with a lower-fat version or use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the recipe
- Calories: 700
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g1
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg