Description
This Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti recipe is made with a lightened-up alfredo sauce, and is always so comforting and delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 ounces uncooked ziti (or any pasta shape)
- 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
- 1 1/2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- Freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, for topping
- Finely-chopped fresh basil or parsley, for topping
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 cup low-fat milk
- 3/4 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat oven to 375°F and mist a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Sauté: Heat olive oil or butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; add garlic and sauté for one minute.
- Thicken: Sprinkle in flour and stir for an additional minute to cook the flour.
- Simmer: Slowly whisk in chicken or vegetable stock and milk; bring to a simmer and cook for one minute until thickened.
- Finish Sauce: Stir in 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper until melted, then remove from heat.
- Boil: Cook pasta al dente in salted boiling water according to package instructions, then drain.
- Combine: Return pasta to the pot and toss with cooked chicken and the prepared alfredo sauce.
- Layer: Pour half of the pasta mixture into the baking dish, sprinkle with 1 cup of mozzarella, layer the remaining pasta, and top with the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish: Remove from oven and sprinkle with additional Parmesan and fresh parsley or basil before serving.
Notes
Customize by using whole wheat or gluten-free pasta, or adding steamed broccoli, asparagus, or mushrooms. Shrimp can be used as a protein alternative to chicken.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 880 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
Keywords: chicken alfredo, baked ziti, Italian casserole, creamy pasta, comfort food