Whip up a dish that's creamy, bursting with flavor, and incredibly simple to prepare. This all-in-one meal is sure to impress both family and friends alike. It yields plenty, so you can even freeze some for later or opt to make a smaller batch by halving the recipe.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
- 1 (15 ounce) jar pesto sauce
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta
- 1 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
- 3 cups fresh baby spinach
- 1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
Directions:
- Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and greasing a 9x13-inch baking dish. Set it aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil until they're well mixed. This mixture will add a delightful crunch to your dish. Set it aside for later.
- Next, fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the penne pasta and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked through but still has a bit of firmness to it, about 11 minutes. Once cooked, drain the pasta well in a colander set in the sink.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. In a large bowl, combine the cubed cooked chicken, shredded Italian cheese blend, fresh baby spinach, crushed tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and milk. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Once the pasta is done cooking and drained, add it to the bowl with the chicken and sauce mixture. Gently stir everything together until the pasta is evenly coated.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Now, sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the pasta in the baking dish. This will create a deliciously crispy topping when baked.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade pesto chicken penne casserole!