Savory Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta with Mozzarella (Print version)

Creamy garlic Parmesan chicken pasta baked with mozzarella until hot, saucy, and golden on top.

# Ingredients:

For the pasta and chicken

01 - 1 lb (450 g) rotini pasta
02 - 3 cups (420 g) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
03 - 1 cup (240 ml) reserved pasta water, divided

For the sauce

04 - 2 jars, 15 oz each (425 g each), Alfredo sauce
05 - 1 cup (240 ml) garlic Parmesan sauce
06 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for pasta water
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional

For the cheese topping

09 - 2 cups (225 g) shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
10 - 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese, divided
11 - 1 tablespoon butter or cooking spray, for greasing the dish
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the rotini until just al dente, then reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
03 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, Alfredo sauce, garlic Parmesan sauce, 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup Parmesan, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes if using, and 1/2 cup reserved pasta water. Stir until evenly coated.
04 - Spread the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. If the mixture looks dry, stir in another splash of reserved pasta water before topping.
05 - Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup mozzarella and remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan evenly over the top.
06 - Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, until the center is hot and the edges are bubbling.
07 - Uncover and broil for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is golden in spots. Let the pasta rest for 5 minutes, then garnish with parsley and serve warm.

# Good to know:

01 - Cook the pasta just to al dente because it softens more in the oven.
02 - Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for the fastest prep.
03 - Resting for 5 minutes helps the creamy sauce settle before serving.

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