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Three Cheese Chicken Pasta

Featured in Satisfying Main Dishes for Every Occasion.

Cook your chicken and pasta first. Make a sauce from mushrooms and cheeses. Mix everything together, add cheese on top, and bake until golden.
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Barbara Chef
Updated on Wed, 02 Apr 2025 23:56:36 GMT
Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake Pin it
Cheesy Chicken Pasta Bake | cookwithcarla.com

Elevate your dinner spread with this indulgent homemade chicken tetrazzini featuring soft noodles, moist chicken, and a trio of cheeses wrapped in garlicky creamy sauce. This delightful American-Italian comfort dish brings fancy restaurant vibes to your home using everyday, fresh components.

When I first ditched condensed soup and made this from scratch, I couldn't believe how much better it tasted. Now my family won't eat it any other way, and I'm happy knowing all the real ingredients that go into our dinner.

Quality Ingredients Create Magic

  • Real parmesan cheese melts better and tastes richer
  • Cremini mushrooms add wonderful earthy notes
  • Vidalia onions create the tastiest starting point
  • Heavy cream makes the smoothest sauce possible
  • Authentic cream cheese contributes delicious tang
  • Fresh mozzarella gives those irresistible cheese stretches

Crafting Delicious Tetrazzini

Noodle Prep:
Cook spaghetti slightly firm for the best final texture.
Chicken Method:
Add spices and cook chicken until juicy with golden edges.
Mushroom Technique:
Cook mushrooms slowly until they release their hidden flavors.
Sauce Creation:
Mix cream, cheese, and broth until smooth as silk.
Putting It Together:
Arrange everything in layers topped with cheese mix.
Three Cheese Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Pin it
Three Cheese Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe | cookwithcarla.com

My kids love helping shred the different cheeses. They get so excited peeking through the oven door watching the cheese turn a beautiful golden color under the broiler.

Creating Silky Sauce

You'll get that perfectly smooth sauce by patiently stirring as the cream cheese melts. This is how you avoid grainy texture and get that gorgeous creaminess everyone loves.

Watching The Heat

Keep the heat low so your cream won't break apart and the cream cheese will melt smoothly into the sauce.

Getting Mushrooms Right

Don't rush browning your mushrooms. This step creates amazing flavors that make the whole dish taste better.

Prepping Ahead

You can put this together early and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to bake. It's perfect when you're busy or having friends over.

Making It Your Own

Try adding fresh herbs like thyme or sage for extra flavor, or throw in some peas for color and goodness.

Saving Leftovers

Pop any extras in a sealed container for up to three days. Warm it up slowly to keep that creamy goodness intact.

Easy Three Cheese Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Pin it
Easy Three Cheese Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe | cookwithcarla.com

I've tweaked this dish for years and found that giving each step the time it needs makes a meal better than anything you'd get eating out. The magic of three cheeses with perfectly cooked chicken creates something that gets everyone rushing to the table.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I skip cooking chicken?
Sure! Use shredded rotisserie chicken (3-4 cups) and toss it in when mixing the ingredients.
→ Why undercook the pasta?
The pasta keeps cooking while baking. Starting with firmer pasta stops it from turning soggy.
→ Can I prep this early?
Yes! Assemble everything except baking. Refrigerate covered for up to a day and bake when ready, adding a bit more time in the oven.
→ Does it freeze well?
Absolutely! Wrap unbaked pasta tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight and bake, adding extra baking time as needed.
→ Which mushrooms fit best?
Baby bella (cremini) or simple white mushrooms work perfectly. Use what you have or prefer.

Three Cheese Chicken Pasta

Creamy spaghetti with chicken, mushrooms, and cheese. It’s comforting, rich, and the ultimate feel-good dinner.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Chicken & Pasta

01 2 chicken breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces
02 12 ounces spaghetti (most of a standard box)

→ Veggie Add-Ins

03 7 ounces white or cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
04 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
05 Half an onion, diced

→ Base for Sauce

06 3 tablespoons butter (split into 2 portions)
07 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 1 cup heavy cream
09 8 ounces softened cream cheese (the whole block)
10 3/4 cup chicken broth

→ Flavor Boosters

11 A pinch of Italian seasoning (1/4 teaspoon)
12 Fresh black pepper and salt, to your liking

→ Cheesy Topping

13 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Microwave the cream cheese for 30 seconds to soften it, or let it sit at room temp for a couple hours. Pat the chicken dry, season it with salt and pepper, and preheat your oven to 350°F, setting the rack towards the upper part.

Step 02

Cook the spaghetti in plenty of salted water but stop about 2 minutes shy of the time on the package. Drain once it's ready.

Step 03

As the pasta cooks, heat olive oil with 1 tablespoon of butter in a big pot over medium-high. Toss the onion in and stir until it gets lightly golden, roughly 4-5 minutes.

Step 04

Add your chicken pieces to the pot and stir them around until almost fully cooked, about 5-6 minutes. Move them to a plate afterward.

Step 05

Throw the mushrooms, garlic, the rest of the butter, and the Italian seasoning into the same pot. Stir it all until the mushrooms soften and most of their liquid has disappeared, around 5 minutes.

Step 06

Turn the heat to high. Gradually stir in the softened cream cheese (cut into chunks to help it melt), chicken broth, and heavy cream. Mix non-stop for 5 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy.

Step 07

Turn off the stove. Add back the chicken along with the cooked pasta. Mix well so everything’s nicely coated in sauce.

Step 08

Scoop the mixture into a 9x13 dish and spread it evenly. Cover with mozzarella and parmesan. Bake it for 30 minutes uncovered, then switch to broil for a couple of minutes to get the top golden and bubbly. Let it cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

  1. If using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken instead, skip the chicken cooking step. Use 3-4 cups of shredded chicken when mixing everything together.
  2. Make sure the sauce isn't on the heat too long before baking. If it thickens too much, the pasta will dry out.
  3. Cut into the dish lasagna-style to portion it so everyone gets a good amount of that cheesy topping.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot for boiling pasta
  • Another large pot or a Dutch oven for the sauce
  • 9x13 baking pan
  • A colander

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has dairy (butter, cream, and cheeses)
  • Contains gluten (pasta)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 777
  • Total Fat: 47 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 49 g
  • Protein: 38 g