Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles Recipe

Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles Recipe Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles Recipe photo by Taste of Home Rating 5

Creamy, flavorful and so easy to fix, this meal-in-one will wow family and friends. Get ready for recipe requests for this easy chicken casserole! —Laura Kayser, Ankeny, Iowa

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Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles Recipe
  • Prep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.
  • Yield: 12 Servings
20 40 60

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
  • 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
  • 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Italian cheese blend
  • 3 cups fresh baby spinach
  • 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
  • 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
  • 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
  • 1 jar (8.1 ounces) prepared pesto
  • 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

  • Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the chicken, cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, Alfredo sauce, milk and pesto. Drain pasta and add to chicken mixture; toss to coat.
  • Transfer to two greased 8-in. square baking dishes. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil; sprinkle over casseroles.
  • Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly.
  • To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until bubbly. Yield: 2 casseroles (6 servings each).

Nutritional Facts 1-1/3 cups equals 612 calories, 30 g fat (13 g saturated fat), 111 mg cholesterol, 829 mg sodium, 41 g carbohydrate, 3 g fiber, 42 g protein.

Originally published as Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles in Simple & Delicious May 2010, p59

Full-Bodied White Wine

Enjoy this recipe with a full-bodied white wine such as Chardonnay or Viognier.

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Reviews for Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles

Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles Recipe

Pesto-Chicken Penne Casseroles

Tell us what you think of this recipe.
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(31-40) of 45 reviews

Reviewed on Feb. 02, 2011 by shelley tiffany

This was delicious! My whole family loved it. It tasted like a dish you'd find in a nice Italian restaurant.

Reviewed on Jan. 29, 2011 by billandconnier

I used broccoli(didn't have spinach on hand). YUMMY!!!

Reviewed on Nov. 09, 2010 by kkseavy

the first time i tasted this recipe, the words OLIVE GARDEN popped in my head! i have never had a meal that tastes like it was delivered from a high end resturant and served as it was home made!!! this is my familys new favorite recipe. we ate the first casserole until it was gone and had the 2nd one for dinner then next night! i cant believe how easy it is and the reward is a meal you cant stop eating.

Reviewed on Nov. 08, 2010 by elephantlaw

A friend made this for our family when we had our second child. Everyone loved it!

Reviewed on Nov. 06, 2010 by 1courage

My family loved this. I used leftover alfredo sauce from dinner the night before which made this quick and easy to make! I will definitely be making thin one again.

Reviewed on Oct. 14, 2010 by mommamcd

Delicious! Even my picky son loved it.

Calorie and Fat content are a bummer though.

Reviewed on Oct. 02, 2010 by cookincrockett

Very good!!! My family loved it. Will definetly make it again.

Reviewed on Oct. 01, 2010 by leighanntedrow

My husband loved it. I cut the recipe in half to try for the first time, so I have not tried it in the freezer. Next time I will make certainly make the full recipe and freeze. For my family of three, I think I will split into 3 casseroles; eat one, and two to freeze.

Reviewed on Jul. 20, 2010 by tiroberts

Yum! I used an envelope packet of pesto instead of the jar & added bacon bits the 2nd time I made it. It's now a family favorite & I love having an extra to use later.

Reviewed on Jul. 06, 2010 by JDSpackman

This recipe is easy to throw together and ends up being a time-saver. We ate the first casserole right after I made it and the second one a month later. We thought the frozen casserole was even better than the fresh one!

 
 

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