Here’s a detailed Cheddar Chicken Pasta Bake recipe—creamy, cheesy, and perfect for a family-style dinner.
🧀 Cheddar Chicken Pasta Bake (Detailed Recipe)
🍗 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Pasta & Chicken
- 300 g pasta (penne, fusilli, or macaroni)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for cooking chicken if raw)
- Salt & pepper (to taste)
Cheddar Sauce
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (warm)
- 1½ to 2 cups grated cheddar cheese
- ½ cup mozzarella (optional, for extra stretch)
- 1 tsp garlic powder (or 2 cloves minced garlic)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika or chili flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
Veggies (optional but recommended)
- ½ cup sweet corn
- ½ cup capsicum (bell pepper), chopped
- ½ cup mushrooms, sliced
- ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
Topping
- ½ cup cheddar cheese (for baking top)
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (optional, for crunch)
- 1 tbsp melted butter
🍝 Step-by-Step Method
1. Cook the pasta
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente (slightly firm).
- Drain and toss with a little oil to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare chicken
- If using raw chicken:
- Heat oil in a pan.
- Add chicken, salt, pepper, and a pinch of paprika.
- Cook until fully done (no pink inside).
- If using pre-cooked chicken, just shred and warm it lightly.
3. Make the cheddar sauce
- Melt butter in a pan on medium heat.
- Add flour and whisk for 1–2 minutes (this is your roux).
- Slowly add warm milk while whisking to avoid lumps.
- Cook until slightly thickened.
- Add garlic powder, salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Stir in cheddar cheese (and mozzarella if using).
- Mix until smooth, creamy, and glossy.
4. Combine everything
- In a large bowl, mix:
- Pasta
- Chicken
- Vegetables
- Cheddar sauce
- Stir until everything is well coated.
5. Bake
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Transfer mixture to a baking dish.
- Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
- Add breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter (optional for crust).
Bake for:
- 20–25 minutes until golden and bubbly
6. Rest & serve
- Let it sit for 5–10 minutes before serving (helps it set).
- Serve warm.
🔥 Tips for Best Results
- Don’t overcook pasta—it will soften more in the oven.
- Use sharp cheddar for stronger flavor.
- Add a splash of cream for extra richness.
- For spice: add jalapeños or chili flakes.
- For smoky flavor: add a pinch of smoked paprika.
🧾 Optional Variations
- Spicy version: add hot sauce or green chilies
- Veg-loaded version: add broccoli, peas, carrots
- Extra creamy: mix in 2 tbsp cream cheese
- Crunchy top: double breadcrumbs + butter
If you want, I can also give you:
- stovetop (no oven) version
- restaurant-style creamy version
- or a low-calorie version
Just tell me 👍