It’s 5 PM. You’re staring into the fridge. The clock is ticking. Sound familiar? I live there too. That’s why we need a dinner hero. We need Chicken Tetrazzini Creamy Pasta.
This isn’t a fancy, fussy project. This is a creamy, dreamy, flavor-packed rescue mission, much like a creamy spinach and chicken slow cooker pasta. It uses simple stuff you probably have. It comes together fast. And it bakes into pure comfort.
Let’s turn that chaotic weeknight into a win. I’ve got your back. This recipe is your secret weapon.
Recipe Overview
- Cuisine: American-Italian
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Pasta Bake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Servings: 6
Ultimate Guide to Chicken Tetrazzini Creamy Pasta
Why is this the only guide you need? Three words: flavor, speed, and ease. I’ve tested this to be the busy cook’s best friend.
We skip complicated sauces. We use smart shortcuts. The result is a creamy, cheesy, utterly satisfying spaghetti bake. It feels like a hug in a casserole dish.
You get that restaurant-style creamy pasta at home. In under an hour. With minimal cleanup. That’s a weeknight miracle we can all use.
The Simple Ingredients
I love this list. It’s mostly pantry and fridge basics. No special trips to the store. Check your cabinets first!
- 12 oz spaghetti or linguine
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or cubed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Ready? This is where the magic happens. Follow these steps and you can’t go wrong. I promise it’s straightforward.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab your favorite 9×13 inch casserole dish. Give it a quick spray with non-stick spray.
- Cook the pasta. Boil a large pot of salted water. Cook the spaghetti according to package directions, but aim for al dente. It will cook more in the oven. Drain and set aside.
- Start the creamy sauce. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion. Cook for 3-4 minutes until soft.
- Add the garlic and sliced mushrooms. Cook for another 5-7 minutes. You want the mushrooms soft and their liquid released. This builds so much flavor.
- Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mix. Stir constantly for about 1 minute. This cooks the flour taste out and thickens our sauce.
- Slowly pour in the chicken broth, whisking the whole time. Then whisk in the cream of mushroom soup and milk. Bring it to a gentle simmer. Watch it thicken beautifully!
- Turn off the heat. Stir in the sour cream, cooked chicken, 1 cup of the Parmesan, all the mozzarella, and the dried thyme. Season well with salt and pepper. Taste it! This is your moment to adjust.
- Add the drained pasta to the pot. Use tongs to mix everything until the pasta is fully coated in that luscious sauce.
- Pour the entire mixture into your prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes. You’re looking for bubbly edges and a golden top. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. This helps it set perfectly.
What to Serve With This Dish
This creamy bake is a full meal by itself. But if you want to round it out, keep it simple. We’re not making more work.
Chicken Tetrazzini Creamy Pasta Recipe
The Simple Ingredients
Let’s Get Cooking! (The Step-by-Step)
Notes
Enjoy your homemade Chicken Tetrazzini Creamy Pasta Recipe!
Nutrition Information
A bag of pre-washed salad greens with a quick vinaigrette is perfect. Garlic bread is always a hit. Just toast some bread, spread with garlic butter, and broil for a minute.
Steamed green beans or broccoli also work great. They add a fresh crunch next to the rich pasta. Done in 10 minutes.
Make This Recipe Your Own (Quick Swaps)
Got different stuff? No problem. This recipe is super flexible. Use what you have to make it work for you.
Swap the protein: This is the classic use for turkey leftovers! Use 3 cups of chopped leftover Thanksgiving turkey instead of chicken. It’s fantastic.
Swap the pasta: Any long pasta works. Linguine, fettuccine, or even bucatini. You can also use penne or rigatoni for a fun twist.
Swap the soup: Don’t have cream of mushroom? Cream of chicken soup works just as well. It will still be creamy and delicious. For another hands-off creamy chicken pasta option, try a creamy slow cooker chicken Florentine pasta.
How to Store Leftovers (If You Have Any!)
Let the baked dish cool completely. Cover it tightly or transfer portions to airtight containers. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To reheat, microwave single servings until hot. For a larger portion, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes. Add a splash of milk if the sauce needs loosening.
You can also freeze this! Wrap the cooled bake well. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
- Calories: ~580
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Protein: 36g
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 6g
*Nutrition is an estimate per serving. Values can vary based on specific ingredients used.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Assemble the dish completely but don’t bake it. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake straight from the fridge, adding 5-10 extra minutes.
What’s the best way to cook the chicken?
For speed, use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Just shred it! You can also poach 2 large chicken breasts. Or use any leftover cooked chicken you have.
My sauce seems too thick. What do I do?
No stress. Just stir in a little extra chicken broth or milk, a splash at a time, until it’s the creamy consistency you like. Easy fix.
See? I told you we could do this. A delicious, comforting dinner doesn’t have to take all night. This Chicken Tetrazzini is proof.
It’s creamy, cheesy, and everyone asks for seconds. You get to be the weeknight hero without the stress. That’s a total win in my book. If you love this style of easy, comforting pasta, you should definitely explore our slow cooker creamy spinach chicken pasta next.
Now it’s your turn. Go try this and win back your weeknight! Let me know how it goes by leaving a comment and rating below!
