Description
Indulge in the rich, creamy texture of this Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake, where tender chicken melds beautifully with al dente pasta, enveloped in a luscious, spicy cream cheese sauce. Each bite bursts with flavor, offering a delightful balance of heat and creaminess that will leave your taste buds dancing.
Ingredients
- Pasta: 12 oz penne pasta, cooked al dente
- Chicken: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- Cream Sauce: 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper - Vegetables: 1 cup bell peppers, diced
1 cup onion, diced
1 cup spinach, chopped - Topping: 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced bell peppers and onions until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the shredded chicken and spinach to the skillet, stirring until the spinach wilts.
- In a separate bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
- Combine the cooked pasta with the chicken and vegetable mixture, then pour the cream sauce over the top, mixing well to coat.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for 5 minutes before garnishing with chopped parsley and serving.
Notes
- This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a lighter version, substitute the heavy cream with half-and-half or a non-dairy alternative.
- Feel free to swap out the chicken for shrimp or sausage for a different protein option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: main-dish
- Method: baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the baking dish
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 800 milligrams
- Fat: 30 grams
- Saturated Fat: 15 grams
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Protein: 30 grams
- Cholesterol: 100 milligrams
Keywords: Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake, creamy pasta bake, Cajun chicken recipe, baked pasta, comfort food, easy dinner, one-dish meal, cheesy pasta, Southern cuisine, weeknight dinner, family-friendly recipe, spicy pasta bake, chicken pasta bake, creamy chicken dish, pasta casserole