Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole Recipe
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Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole

By: linda 
"Creamy, flavorful and so easy to fix. This meal-in-one will wow family and friends. Makes a lot, so freeze some or halve the recipe."

This Kitchen Approved Recipe has an average star rating of 4.6 Rate/Review | Read Reviews (136)

Prep Time:
15 Min
Cook Time:
1 Hr
Ready In:
1 Hr 15 Min

Servings  (Help)

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Original Recipe Yield 12 servings
 

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 (16 ounce) box penne pasta
  • 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
  • 4 cups shredded Italian cheese blend
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 (15 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 (15 ounce) jar Alfredo sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) jar pesto sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups milk

Directions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a small bowl until evenly moistened; set aside.
  2. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  3. Meanwhile, combine the chicken in a bowl with the Italian cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and milk. Stir in the pasta once done, and scoop into the prepared baking dish. Top with the bread crumb mixture.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Footnotes

  • Cook's Note
  • I also make my own Alfredo sauce and use 2 cups in place of the jarred sauce.

Nutritional Information open nutritional information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 760 | Total Fat: 47.2g | Cholesterol: 114mg Powered by ESHA Nutrient Database

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 view all reviews »  

The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 27, 2012 by linda   view full review
As the submitter I would just like to say it is a comfort food food that my family and...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 16, 2011 by Tasha   view full review
I loved this! but i think there is too much pesto it was a little bit strong, and i added...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Oct. 17, 2011 by Amy   view full review
This was a very simple and tasty dish. I only made two small changes. I halved the pesto...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 2, 2011 by kfrehse0202   view full review
This was great. I used fresh tomatoes instead of crushed, and I did not use the afrado sauce....
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 15, 2011 by Miz   view full review
I don't even have this in the oven yet and I'm giving it 5 stars. Have you ever seen 'What...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Nov. 2, 2011 by beachlover   view full review
Great family meal! I have made this dish three times in the last month, and the beauty of it...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Dec. 22, 2011 by Molly Supporting Member (Click to learn more about Supporting Membership)  view full review
Loved this pasta dish. It is nice and creamy and makes a lot. My 13 x 9 pan was filled to...
The reviewer gave this recipe 4 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Jul. 18, 2011 by beverlyrx   view full review
This was great! I am glad I cut the recipe in half as you suggested, it still made a lot! I...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Jan. 19, 2012 by BudsGurls   view full review
We've been making this for a few years now, usually when we're expecting a crowd because this...
The reviewer gave this recipe 5 stars. This recipe averages a 4.6 star rating.
Reviewed on Aug. 3, 2011 by learningtocook   view full review
Delish! I didn't have Italian cheese blend, but I don't think it really needs it with all the...

 

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