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Chicken Penne Casserole Recipe

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4.1 from 5 reviews

This Chicken Penne Casserole is a creamy, comforting dish combining tender penne pasta, broccoli, shredded chicken, and a rich, cheesy sauce flavored with Italian dressing mix and garlic. Topped with melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese, it's baked to bubbly perfection for a hearty family meal ready in under an hour.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Pasta and Vegetables

  • 8 ounces uncooked penne
  • 4 cups broccoli florets
  • 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

Sauce and Seasonings

  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 cup milk (2%)
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

Protein and Cheese

  • 2 cups shredded cooked or rotisserie chicken
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Seasoning

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and position the oven rack to the top third of the oven to ensure even baking and browning of the casserole top.
  2. Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions minus 2 minutes (about 8 minutes total). Add the broccoli florets to the boiling pasta water 2 minutes before the pasta is done to lightly cook them. Drain both and transfer to a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
  3. Prepare Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, milk, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, Italian dressing mix, onion powder, and minced garlic. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
  4. Mix Casserole Ingredients: Add the shredded cooked chicken and frozen mixed vegetables to the casserole dish with the pasta and broccoli. Pour the prepared sauce over the top and toss everything together carefully until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  5. Assemble and Top: Spread the mixture evenly in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top layer.
  6. Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven, uncovered, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly throughout. Optionally, broil for a few minutes at the end to brown the cheese, watching carefully to prevent burning.
  7. Season and Serve: Remove from oven, season with salt and pepper as needed, and serve warm.

Notes

  • For best texture, do not overcook pasta before baking; undercooking slightly helps it finish cooking in the oven.
  • Use fresh broccoli florets for better flavor and texture versus frozen.
  • Rotisserie chicken is a convenient shortcut that adds great flavor and tenderness.
  • You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with a homemade white sauce for a less processed option.
  • Broiling the casserole top is optional but adds a nice golden crust to the cheese layer.
  • Author: Chef
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://avascooking.com/chicken-penne-casserole-recipe/