Chicken Alfredo Casserole

“What’s for Dinner?”

This is one of the most asked questions during the week at my house. Weeknights can be trying to say the least, especially right after the holiday break. Getting back into the swing of things is sometimes easier said than done. After getting off work and picking up the rugrats, our evening consists of homework, dinner, bath time and bedtime. Dinner can sometimes be an afterthought in all of the organized madness of the evening. Planning has become an all-important part of my week to make sure the family is fed…and happy.

During the weekdays, time is limited, and for me, it’s so important to maximize the time I do have each night. Convenience is vital when deciding what to make for dinner. One of my favorite go-to meals is Chicken Alfredo Casserole. A quick and easy recipe that can even be prepped the day before and stored in the refrigerator. Just pop it in the oven and have it ready in no time! This usually yields enough leftovers for another night’s dinner.

Looking for an easy weeknight meal? Check out the recipe below!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz Rotini pasta
• 2 cups shredded chicken tenderloins
• 1 jar Alfredo sauce (Classico is my go to but the sauce of your liking will do as well. You can also make the sauce from scratch if you’re feeling creative!)
• 1/2 teaspoon basil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Boil a large pot of water to cook the pasta until al dente.
2. Season chicken breasts with garlic, onion powder and pepper.
3. Sauté chicken breast tenderloins in olive oil for about 10 minutes until golden brown on each side. Then shred the chicken using two forks.
4. Drain pasta and combine with the chicken.
5. Pour Alfredo sauce on top of noodles and chicken, stirring until evenly coated.
6. Pour half of the mixture into a 13 X 9 glass pan and then top with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
7. Repeat with the remaining mixture. Cover with the rest of the mozzarella cheese.
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until top layer of cheese is slightly golden brown. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon of basil and serve with the side dishes of your liking!

The day my husband and I brought home our daughter from the hospital, our family friend dropped off a chicken casserole that had us eating very good for the next 24 hours! I asked for the recipe but ended up creating my own by trial and error. To this day whenever my husband asks “what’s for dinner?” and I answer him with Alfredo casserole, you can hear the excitement in his voice. Hope you enjoy!