Description

A creamy and flavorful Cajun Cream Cheese Chicken Pasta Bake featuring tender cubed chicken seasoned with Cajun spices, blended into a rich cheese sauce with cream cheese, heavy cream, cheddar, and Parmesan, combined with al dente pasta, then baked to bubbly perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz penne or rotini pasta

Chicken

2 chicken breasts, cubed
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning

Vegetables & Aromatics

1 small onion, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Dairy & Liquids

2 tablespoons olive oil
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasoning

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pasta dish.
Cook Pasta: Boil penne or rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside to keep warm.
Cook Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the cubed chicken and toss with Cajun seasoning. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes.
Sauté Vegetables: Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet. In the same pan, sauté diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic for 3–4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
Make Sauce: Stir in the softened cream cheese into the vegetables in the skillet, allowing it to melt smoothly. Then add heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring continuously to create a creamy sauce.
Add Cheeses: Mix in shredded cheddar cheese and grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes creamy and well combined.
Combine Ingredients: Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and mix well with the sauce. Then add the drained pasta and stir thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
Bake: Transfer the entire mixture into a greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes until the top is bubbly and golden brown.
Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pasta bake cool slightly before serving hot to enjoy the rich flavors.

Notes

You can substitute penne or rotini with other pasta types like fusilli or rigatoni if preferred.
Adjust the amount of Cajun seasoning to control the spice level.
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and reduce cheese amounts.
Freshly grated Parmesan cheese enhances the flavor more than pre-grated options.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cajun chicken pasta bake, creamy chicken pasta, baked pasta casserole, Cajun seasoning chicken, comfort food pasta