Description
This Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake combines juicy, seasoned chicken pieces with tender pasta and fresh vegetables in a rich, creamy Cajun-spiced cheese sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden, this comforting dish delivers a perfect balance of spice, creaminess, and hearty flavors, making it an ideal family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken tenders, breasts, or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Cajun seasoning, to taste
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for cooking
Vegetables
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 10 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 crowns broccoli, cut into small florets
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 roma tomatoes, diced
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb pasta (farfalle, penne, or your choice)
- 6 tbsp butter
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1/3 cup chicken stock or broth
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cups shredded cheese, divided (Colby Jack, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, or your blend of choice)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the assembled pasta dish.
- Cook Pasta: Boil the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Season and Cook Chicken: Season the chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, salt, and black pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and cook the chicken until browned and fully cooked. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
- Cook Vegetables: Add broccoli florets and diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes until they start to become tender.
- Make Cream Sauce: Stir in diced roma tomatoes, heavy cream, chicken stock, grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 cups of shredded cheese. Allow the sauce to simmer gently until it thickens and becomes creamy.
- Combine Chicken and Pasta: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the cooked pasta and stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Prepare for Baking: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and pour the pasta mixture into it. Evenly top the casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to set.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you prefer, but shapes like farfalle or penne hold the sauce well.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your spice preference; add more for extra heat.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a milk mixture.
- Feel free to swap vegetables based on availability; mushrooms or zucchini work well.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add an extra 5 minutes to baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
