Description
Creamy cajun cream cheese chicken pasta bake delivers southern comfort with bold spices and rich textures. Hearty ingredients blend seamlessly, promising a satisfying meal that will transport you straight to Louisiana’s culinary heart.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 12 oz (340 g) penne or rigatoni pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
- ½ cup onion, diced
- 1 block (8 oz or 226 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (adjust for spice level)
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- Parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Pasta Foundation: Cook pasta in salted boiling water until perfectly tender, then drain and reserve.
- Chicken Enhancement: Coat chicken pieces with Cajun seasoning, ensuring even distribution of robust flavors.
- Vegetable Sautéing: In a large skillet, caramelize garlic, bell peppers, and onions until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Sauce Creation: Melt cream cheese into the vegetable mixture, then gradually incorporate heavy cream, chicken broth, cheddar, mozzarella, additional Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, whisking until silky and uniform.
- Mixture Integration: Fold cooked pasta and seasoned chicken into the creamy sauce, ensuring each component is thoroughly coated.
- Baking Assembly: Transfer the luxurious mixture into the prepared baking dish, then generously sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan across the surface.
- Baking Process: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust. Optional: Broil briefly for enhanced browning.
- Serving Presentation: Allow the dish to rest momentarily, then garnish with fresh parsley and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Cook pasta just until al dente to prevent mushy texture when baking, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to personal heat preference by reducing or increasing the amount for milder or spicier results.
- Gradually add cheese and stir continuously to prevent clumping and ensure a smooth, creamy sauce.
- Prepare the dish in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve for convenient meal planning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg