Description
Chicken Bacon Pasta Bake brings comfort straight to your dinner table with a creamy, cheesy blend that makes weeknight meals feel special. Packed with crispy bacon bits and tender chicken, this simple casserole delivers maximum flavor in one delicious pan.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 8 oz bacon
- 16 oz pasta
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup sour cream
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Boil 16 oz pasta in salted water for 8-9 minutes until tender. Drain completely.
- Cut 1 lb chicken breast into 1-inch cubes. Season with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ¼ tsp paprika.
- Slice 8 oz bacon into small pieces. Crisp in a skillet until golden brown. Transfer bacon to a paper towel.
- In the same skillet, pour 2 tbsp olive oil and sauté chicken for 6-7 minutes until fully cooked.
- Finely chop 2 garlic cloves and quickly sizzle them in the skillet for 30 seconds.
- Whisk together 1 cup heavy cream and ½ cup sour cream in a large mixing bowl.
- Fold cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon into the cream mixture. Stir gently to distribute ingredients.
- Incorporate 2 cups cheddar and 1 cup mozzarella cheese, saving a handful for topping.
- Transfer entire mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheeses and ¼ cup parmesan on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese melts and develops a golden surface.
- Allow casserole to rest 5 minutes after removing from oven.
- Garnish with ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- Always choose thick-cut bacon for maximum flavor and crispiness in the dish.
- Season chicken generously with paprika to add depth and warmth to the overall taste profile.
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent a mushy texture when baking the final casserole.
- For a lighter version, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
- Prep Time: 15-18 minutes
- Cook Time: 26-32 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 729 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 141 mg