Description
Comforting chicken tetrazzini brings Italian-American pasta magic straight to dinner tables with creamy, cheesy goodness. Savory layers of tender chicken, pasta, and rich sauce create a hearty meal that promises pure satisfaction for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein and Pasta:
- 3 cups chicken, shredded or diced
- 12 ounces (340 grams) spaghetti or fettuccine
Dairy and Cheese:
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
Vegetables and Seasonings:
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 ounces (226 grams) mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Initiate oven preparation at 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with protective grease. Execute pasta cooking in generously salted water until achieving perfect tenderness, then carefully drain and reserve.
- Activate a substantial skillet over medium thermal intensity. Introduce butter and gently transform onions and garlic into translucent, fragrant elements. Incorporate mushrooms, allowing them to release moisture and develop rich, earthy characteristics. Dust flour across the aromatic mixture, ensuring complete integration.
- Methodically stream chicken broth and cream, whisking continuously to create a smooth, velvety foundation. Allow sauce to evolve and thicken, developing robust consistency through gentle simmering.
- Enhance sauce profile by introducing sour cream, seasonings, and a portion of Parmesan, stirring until harmoniously blended and cheese melts seamlessly.
- Transfer cooked pasta into expansive mixing vessel. Gently fold shredded chicken and prepared sauce, ensuring comprehensive coating of each pasta strand.
- Orchestrate casserole assembly by transferring pasta mixture into prepared baking dish. Crown the creation with remaining Parmesan and mozzarella, creating an enticing cheesy landscape.
- Position casserole within preheated oven, allowing transformation through 20-25 minutes of controlled heat. Await emergence of golden, bubbling cheese surface.
- Extract from oven and optionally embellish with fresh parsley fragments. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Swap chicken with shredded turkey or rotisserie chicken for a quick flavor twist and time-saving option.
- Use gluten-free pasta and flour to make this dish suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Create a lighter version by substituting heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories and fat content.
- Enhance vegetable nutrition by adding extra vegetables like spinach, peas, or roasted bell peppers to boost the dish’s nutritional profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg