Description
A warm, cheesy, and slightly smoky pasta bake that combines cream cheese and Cajun seasoning for a comforting and flavorful dish.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 chicken breasts, cubed (about 1 lb / 450 g)
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (226 g)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 mL)
- 1 cup chicken broth (240 mL)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 113 g)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 50 g)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and the tablespoon of Cajun seasoning. Cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same skillet, add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet and stir until it begins to melt. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to create a smooth sauce.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook until the sauce is creamy and the cheese is melted.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the drained pasta. Mix gently until coated and transfer to a greased baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden and bubbly. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.
Notes
For a lighter sauce, replace heavy cream with half-and-half. Customize with vegetables or proteins based on preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 758
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 44g
- Saturated Fat: 21g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 120mg