Description
Chicken tetrazzini delights pasta enthusiasts with its creamy, comforting layers of tender chicken and al dente noodles. Rich Italian-American casserole promises hearty satisfaction for hungry diners seeking classic comfort cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups chicken, shredded or diced
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti or fettuccine
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream or milk
- 1 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 8 oz (226 g) mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Flavor Foundation: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until translucent, then incorporate mushrooms, cooking until they release their moisture and develop a rich, caramelized texture. Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stirring to create a uniform base.
- Sauce Creation: Gradually pour chicken broth and cream into the skillet, whisking consistently to eliminate lumps and develop a silky, smooth sauce. Simmer gently, allowing the sauce to thicken and intensify in flavor.
- Sauce Enhancement: Blend sour cream, seasonings, and a portion of Parmesan into the sauce, stirring until the cheese melts completely and integrates seamlessly.
- Ingredient Amalgamation: Combine cooked pasta in a large mixing bowl with shredded chicken and prepared sauce, ensuring every pasta strand is thoroughly coated with the creamy mixture.
- Casserole Assembly: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Generously top with remaining Parmesan and mozzarella, creating an inviting cheesy crust.
- Baking Process: Place casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbling, signaling complete heating and flavor melding.
- Finishing Touch: Remove from oven, garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired, and serve immediately while piping hot and texturally perfect.
Notes
- Prevent Pasta Overcooking: Cook pasta just until al dente to maintain structural integrity and prevent mushiness when baking with sauce.
- Manage Moisture Carefully: Ensure mushrooms are properly sautéed to release excess water, preventing a watery casserole texture.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Grate cheese freshly and add gradually to create smooth, even melting without clumping or separating.
- Customize Dietary Variations: Swap regular pasta with gluten-free alternatives, use plant-based chicken substitute for vegetarian version, or replace cream with lighter Greek yogurt for reduced-calorie option.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg