Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole

Health score
20%
Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole
75 min.
12
656kcal

Suggestions


If you’re searching for a comfort dish that will satisfy everyone at the dinner table, look no further than this Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole! This creamy and flavorful casserole combines rich Alfredo sauce with zesty pesto, succulent chicken, and the freshness of spinach and tomatoes. Perfect as a main dish for gatherings, this delightful recipe serves twelve, making it ideal for family meals or potlucks. Each bite is a hearty combination of textures and tastes, with the cheese blend melting beautifully into every layer.

This casserole is not just tasty; it’s also simple to prepare. With only a handful of ingredients and straightforward steps, you can have a warm, enticing meal ready in just over an hour. The penne pasta adds a delightful heartiness, while the crispy bread crumb topping provides a satisfying crunch. The balance between the creamy sauce, the earthy notes of spinach, and the aromatic pesto will leave your taste buds dancing.

Whether you serve it as a main course or a side dish, this Pesto Chicken Penne Casserole will quickly become a favorite in your household. Get ready to impress your friends and family with this delectable meal that brings comfort and joy to every occasion!

Ingredients

  • 15 ounce alfredo sauce 
  • cups baby spinach fresh
  • 15 ounce canned tomatoes crushed canned
  • cups meat from a rotisserie chicken cubed cooked
  • cups cheese blend shredded italian
  • 1.5 cups milk 
  • tablespoon olive oil 
  • 0.5 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 16 ounce penne pasta 
  • 15 ounce pesto sauce 
  • 0.5 cup seasoned bread crumbs 

Equipment

  • bowl
  • oven
  • pot
  • baking pan
  • colander

Directions

  1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a small bowl until evenly moistened; set aside.
  3. 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.
  4. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  5. 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.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.

Nutrition Facts

Calories656kcal
Protein23.41%
Fat51.09%
Carbs25.5%

Properties

Glycemic Index
12.5
Glycemic Load
12.65
Inflammation Score
-8
Nutrition Score
18.220000121904%

Flavonoids

Luteolin
0.06mg
Kaempferol
0.48mg
Myricetin
0.03mg
Quercetin
0.3mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:656.27kcal
32.81%
Fat:37.18g
57.2%
Saturated Fat:9.5g
59.38%
Carbohydrates:41.76g
13.92%
Net Carbohydrates:38.9g
14.14%
Sugar:6.06g
6.73%
Cholesterol:93.38mg
31.13%
Sodium:899.24mg
39.1%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:38.34g
76.68%
Selenium:44.67µg
63.81%
Vitamin K:41.31µg
39.34%
Vitamin B3:6.99mg
34.95%
Vitamin A:1617.67IU
32.35%
Phosphorus:286.93mg
28.69%
Manganese:0.54mg
27.23%
Calcium:250.99mg
25.1%
Vitamin B6:0.44mg
21.95%
Zinc:2.11mg
14.06%
Vitamin B2:0.24mg
13.85%
Magnesium:55.16mg
13.79%
Iron:2.48mg
13.77%
Potassium:455.25mg
13.01%
Copper:0.24mg
11.9%
Vitamin B1:0.18mg
11.74%
Fiber:2.86g
11.44%
Vitamin B5:1.11mg
11.05%
Folate:35.66µg
8.92%
Vitamin B12:0.44µg
7.36%
Vitamin C:5.5mg
6.67%
Vitamin E:0.85mg
5.7%
Vitamin D:0.36µg
2.38%
Source:Allrecipes