Description
Comforting homestyle chicken penne casserole brings Italian-American kitchen warmth to dinner tables across generations. Creamy pasta layers meld with tender chicken, herbs, and melted cheese, promising a satisfying meal that connects family and friends around one delicious dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Pasta and Base:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) penne pasta
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
Seasonings and Topping:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
- Warm the kitchen oven to a precise 350°F temperature and prepare a spacious rectangular baking vessel with a gentle butter coating.
- Submerge penne pasta in generously salted water, cooking until perfectly tender with a delicate resistance when bitten, then thoroughly drain and reserve.
- Craft the casserole base by combining cooked pasta with succulent diced chicken, velvety cream of chicken soup, tangy sour cream, smooth milk, aromatic garlic and onion powders, fresh parsley, and a balanced blend of salt and pepper in a generously sized cooking pot.
- Orchestrate the first layer of the casserole by distributing half the creamy pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even foundation.
- Generously shower the initial layer with a luxurious blanket of sharp cheddar cheese, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Carefully construct the second layer by adding the remaining pasta mixture, creating a harmonious culinary landscape.
- Crown the casserole with another lavish layer of shredded cheddar cheese, promising a golden, melted topping.
- Create a crispy breadcrumb embellishment by thoroughly mixing breadcrumbs with melted butter, then delicately sprinkling the mixture across the casserole’s surface.
- Slide the assembled dish into the preheated oven, allowing it to transform for 25-30 minutes until the edges bubble enthusiastically and the top achieves a gloriously golden-brown complexion.
- Allow the casserole a brief moment of reprieve after emerging from the oven, permitting the ingredients to settle before serving this comforting dish.
Notes
- Prep ahead by cooking chicken and boiling pasta in advance to save time during busy weeknights.
- Customize the casserole with your favorite herbs like basil or thyme for a personalized flavor twist.
- Use rotisserie chicken as a quick protein shortcut that adds extra flavor and reduces cooking time.
- Freeze individual portions for easy meal prep, storing in airtight containers for up to 3 months.
- Substitute low-fat dairy options to make this comfort dish lighter without compromising taste.
- Add frozen vegetables like peas or broccoli for extra nutrition and colorful texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 860 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg