Hey friends! Today, I’m excited to share one of my absolute favourite ultimate comfort food recipes from our family cookbook—Chicken Penne Casserole. If you’ve been craving something warm, creamy, and bursting with flavour, then you’ve got to give this classic dish a try. And it’s not just me hyping it up either; this is my mom’s original recipe. Every time I make it, I’m reminded why it’s such a family favourite.
In fact, if there’s one recipe in my cookbook that you try, let it be this one! Trust me, you’ll thank me later. 😊
Even better, you can make this pasta dish with simple ingredients that are likely already in your pantry, meaning you won’t need a trip to the grocery store. It’s also a great way to use up home-canned tomatoes, chicken, and frozen bell peppers. As a result, you’ll end up with a cozy meal that’s perfect for family dinners. Plus, it’s an ideal choice for weeknight meals when you need something hearty and satisfying to bring everyone together.
Helpful Tools for Making Chicken Penne Casserole
To make this comforting recipe as easy as possible, here are some kitchen tools that can help:
- Large Deep Skillet or Dutch Oven
A large, deep skillet or Dutch oven is perfect for sautéing chicken breasts, simmering the sauce, and combining the pasta. It ensures you have enough space for everything to blend together without spilling. - Large Pot for Boiling Pasta
You’ll need a sturdy, large pot to cook the penne pasta. A pot with a lid can help the pasta cooks evenly and quickly. - Colander
Draining your tender noodles is a breeze with a good colander. Don’t forget to save some pasta water before draining! - Sharp Chef’s Knife
For slicing chicken breasts, bell peppers, onions, and sun-dried tomatoes, a sharp knife makes prep faster and easier. - Cutting Board
Choose a large, stable cutting board to keep your workspace organized and efficient during prep. - Garlic Press (Optional)
If you want to save time, a garlic press can quickly mince your garlic cloves without the hassle of chopping. - Measuring Cups and Spoons
Accurate measurements are key to getting the perfect creamy sauce consistency, so keep your measuring tools handy. - Airtight Containers
Leftovers? Store this family favorite chicken casserole in airtight containers to keep it fresh for up to 3-4 days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This casserole is all about bold flavors and tender chicken in a homemade creamy sauce. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 3 chicken breasts (or canned chicken for convenience)
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 large red onion, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (reserve that oil for sautéing!)
- 1 quart canned tomatoes, chopped with juice
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ to 1 package cream cheese, at room temperature
- 3 cups dried penne pasta
- 1 Tbsp salt
How to Make It
This simple recipe is packed with flavor and comfort. Here’s how to create this cheesy, creamy, and oh-so-cozy chicken noodle casserole:
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add salt. Add the penne pasta and cook until tender (al dente). Reserve a cup of pasta water, then drain and rinse with cold water. Set aside.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat the reserved sun-dried tomato oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add your chicken breasts, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden and juicy.
- Add the veggies: Toss in the onion, bell peppers, and garlic, letting them soften and brown slightly. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and canned tomatoes. Add Italian seasoning, cayenne, and additional salt and pepper to taste.
- Create the creamy sauce: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat. Add cream cheese in small pieces, stirring until melted and combined. If your sauce is too thick, add a splash of pasta water until you reach the perfect consistency of cheesy goodness.
- Combine and serve: Stir in the tender pasta, cover, and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to meld. Serve this comforting meal with crusty bread and a green salad for a complete family favourite dinner.
Tips & Tricks
- Fresh vs. Canned Chicken: I often use home-canned chicken, but fresh chicken breasts are perfect if you prefer that juicy chicken texture.
- Cream Cheese Alternatives: If you’re out of cream cheese, heavy cream will work, though it results in a lighter sauce. Add a pinch of baking soda to prevent curdling when mixing with the tomatoes.
- Perfect Pasta: Cook your pasta al dente so it holds its shape and absorbs the cheesy sauce.
- Homemade Touch: Homemade pasta adds a tender, luxurious texture to this dish. It’s not required, but if you have the time, it’s worth it!
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
This chicken pasta casserole is everything you want in a comforting recipe the whole family will love: tender noodles, juicy chicken, a homemade creamy sauce, and simple ingredients that come together easily. It’s perfect for cozy family dinners, meal prep, or weeknight dinners when you need something both satisfying and flavourful.
Easy Chicken Penne Casserole Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts or canned chicken for convenience
- 1 green bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper thinly sliced
- 1 large red onion sliced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil reserve that oil for sautéing!
- 1 quart canned tomatoes chopped with juice
- 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ½ to 1 package cream cheese at room temperature
- 3 cups dried penne pasta
- 1 Tbsp salt
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to boil and add salt. Add penne noodles to water and cook until al dente, approximately 10 minutes. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, and drain pasta, rinsing well with cold water. Set aside.
- In a very large deep skillet, put reserved sun-dried tomato oil and bring to medium high heat. Add chicken strips, salt and pepper and sauté until beginning to brown.
- Add onion, peppers, and garlic and brown slightly. Add sundried tomatoes and canned tomatoes and stir well. Add seasonings.
- Bring to a boil and cook until beginning to reduce. Turn heat to low, and add cream cheese in small pieces, stirring to melt cream cheese into the sauce. If too thick add some pasta water until desired consistency.
- Stir in penne. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Serve with crusty bread and a green salad.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can I use other types of pasta in this recipe?
A: Absolutely! While penne pasta works beautifully for this casserole, other sturdy shapes like rigatoni, rotini, or even farfalle can hold up well to the creamy sauce.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can prepare the sauce and pasta separately and store them in an airtight container. When you’re ready to serve, combine them, reheat on medium heat, and add a little reserved pasta water to refresh the sauce.
Q: Can I add other ingredients to the casserole?
A: Definitely! Many people love adding crispy bacon for extra flavor, or a handful of spinach for a veggie boost. Just make sure any add-ins complement the flavors of the creamy tomato sauce and sun-dried tomatoes.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding a bit of chicken broth or pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
Q: Can I freeze this casserole?
A: While it’s best served fresh, you can freeze portions of the casserole. Let it cool completely, then store it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Q: What if I don’t have sun-dried tomatoes?
A: No worries! You can easily swap sun-dried tomatoes with other flavorful ingredients that will still elevate the dish. Here are some great alternatives:
- Roasted red peppers – Add a sweet, smoky element to the creamy sauce.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes – Sauté them in olive oil over medium heat until they soften and caramelize.
- Tomato paste – Use a tablespoon for a rich, concentrated tomato flavor.
- Fresh diced tomatoes – Cook them down to intensify the flavor and add a splash of olive oil for extra richness.
Whenever I make this, I’m reminded of the comforting meals from my childhood. It’s one of those classic dishes that brings everyone to the table with excitement. I hope it becomes a family favourite in your home too!
If you give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to share your experience, pictures, and any tweaks you made. Happy cooking, friends!
Much love,
Chelsea
4 thoughts on “Easy Chicken Penne Casserole Recipe for Comfort Food Lovers”
Love your teaching methods
Thank you so much!
I wrote it down and will try it soon…..my family lives penne recipes..Thank you.
Can’t wait to make this recipe.