Pin A vibrant comforting casserole featuring tender chicken spicy Cajun seasonings creamy sauce and melty cheese all baked with pasta for a crowd-pleasing meal.
I wanted a weeknight dinner that felt special but didn't require complicated steps. After trying this Cajun Chicken Pasta Bake we found ourselves making it monthly for both friends and family. The flavors and ease bring everyone to the table quickly.
Ingredients
- Chicken breasts: 2 large cut into bite-sized pieces
- Red bell pepper: 1 diced
- Yellow bell pepper: 1 diced
- Red onion: 1 small diced
- Garlic: 2 cloves minced
- Pasta: 300 g (10 oz) penne or rigatoni pasta
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Butter: 1 tbsp
- Heavy cream: 200 ml (¾ cup)
- Milk: 120 ml (½ cup)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: 100 g (1 cup)
- Grated Parmesan cheese: 50 g (½ cup)
- Shredded cheddar cheese: 100 g (1 cup)
- Cajun seasoning: 1½ tbsp plus extra for garnish
- Smoked paprika: ½ tsp
- Salt: ½ tsp
- Black pepper: ¼ tsp
- Chili flakes: ¼ tsp (optional for extra heat)
- Fresh parsley: 2 tbsp chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Set oven to 200°C (400°F).
- Cook pasta:
- Boil pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown chicken:
- In large skillet heat olive oil and butter over medium-high. Add chicken 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning salt and pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through about 6–8 minutes. Remove chicken set aside.
- Sauté vegetables:
- In same skillet cook onions and bell peppers for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic smoked paprika and chili flakes. Sauté 1 minute.
- Make sauce:
- Reduce heat to medium. Add cream and milk scraping up any browned bits. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Add cheeses:
- Add ¾ mozzarella cheddar and Parmesan to sauce. Stir until melted and smooth.
- Combine:
- Return chicken to skillet add cooked pasta. Toss to coat. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Bake:
- Transfer mixture to greased baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheeses over top.
- Bake casserole:
- Bake 18–20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve:
- Top with chopped parsley and extra Cajun seasoning before serving.
Pin This casserole quickly became our favorite Sunday meal. The kids love helping sprinkle cheese on top and we always enjoy the leftovers for lunch the next day.
Required Tools
Large skillet medium saucepan baking dish wooden spoon chefs knife cutting board
Allergen Information
Contains milk and wheat may contain gluten and check spice blends for cross-contamination always verify labels
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories 670 Total Fat 32 g Carbohydrates 56 g Protein 40 g
Pin This bake is easy for weeknights and impressive for guests. Your new comfort food classic is just one dish away.
Recipe Q&A
- → What type of pasta works best for this dish?
Penne or rigatoni are ideal as they hold sauce well and provide a sturdy texture after baking.
- → Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes, chicken thighs provide a juicier texture and absorb the Cajun spices wonderfully.
- → How spicy is this dish?
It offers a moderate heat level from Cajun seasoning and optional chili flakes, adjustable to taste.
- → What can I substitute for heavy cream?
Half-and-half works well for a lighter, less rich sauce without sacrificing creaminess.
- → Can this be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the dish and refrigerate before baking; add a few extra minutes to the bake time if chilled.