Introduction
This Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken & Mushroom Penne Bake is rich, comforting, cheesy, and packed with savory flavor.
Tender pieces of chicken, golden mushrooms, garlic, and penne pasta are coated in a creamy Parmesan sauce before being baked under a layer of bubbly mozzarella.
It’s an easy family dinner that feels like restaurant-style comfort food without requiring complicated ingredients.
If you’re looking for easy chicken dinner recipes, creamy pasta recipes, family meal ideas, or an affordable homemade dinner, this baked penne is a delicious choice.
Recipe Overview
| Recipe Detail | Information |
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 25 minutes |
| Total Time | 40 minutes |
| Servings | 4–6 |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Cuisine | Italian-inspired |
| Cooking Method | Stovetop + Oven |
| Pasta | Penne |
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This pasta bake combines tender chicken, earthy mushrooms, creamy garlic sauce, and two types of cheese in one satisfying dish.
The Parmesan creates a rich and savory sauce, while mozzarella melts into a golden, bubbly topping.
It’s perfect for busy weeknights because the pasta and sauce come together quickly before everything finishes in the oven.
This recipe is also ideal for family dinners, meal planning, comfort food lovers, and anyone searching for an easy baked pasta recipe.
Ingredients
For the Pasta Bake
| Ingredient | Amount |
| 🍝 Penne pasta | 350 g (12 oz) |
| 🍗 Chicken breast | 500 g (1.1 lb), bite-sized pieces |
| 🍄 Cremini or button mushrooms | 250 g (8 oz), sliced |
| 🧅 Yellow onion | 1 medium, finely diced |
| 🧄 Fresh garlic | 4 cloves, minced |
| 🫒 Olive oil | 2 tbsp |
| 🧈 Unsalted butter | 2 tbsp |
| 🌾 All-purpose flour | 2 tbsp |
| 🥛 Heavy cream | 1½ cups |
| 🍗 Chicken broth | 1 cup |
| 🧀 Freshly grated Parmesan | 1 cup |
| 🧀 Mozzarella | 1 cup, grated |
| 🌿 Italian seasoning | 1 tsp |
| 🧄 Garlic powder | ½ tsp |
| 🧂 Salt | ½ tsp, or to taste |
| 🖤 Black pepper | ½ tsp |
| 🌿 Fresh parsley | 2 tbsp, chopped |
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cook the Penne
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil.
Add the penne and cook until al dente, approximately 1–2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend.
The pasta will continue cooking in the oven, so avoid overcooking it.
Drain well and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken
Cut the chicken breast into small, evenly sized pieces.
Season with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and half of the Italian seasoning.
Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add the chicken in a single layer.
Cook for approximately 5–6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
Transfer the chicken to a clean plate.
Sauté the Mushrooms and Onion
Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet.
Add the sliced mushrooms and diced onion.
Cook for approximately 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are golden and the onion has softened.
Add the minced garlic.
Cook for another 30–60 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the butter and allow it to melt.
Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture.
Whisk or stir continuously for approximately 1 minute to cook the flour.
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring.
Gradually add the heavy cream, continuing to whisk until smooth.
Simmer for approximately 3–4 minutes.
The sauce should become creamy and slightly thickened.
Add the Parmesan
Stir in the remaining Italian seasoning.
Gradually add the freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Stir until the cheese melts completely and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper if necessary.
Combine Everything
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet.
Add the drained penne.
Gently toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are thoroughly coated in the creamy garlic sauce.
If the sauce seems excessively thick, add a small splash of chicken broth or reserved pasta water.
Assemble the Bake
Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F.
Transfer the creamy chicken and mushroom pasta to a lightly greased baking dish.
If your skillet is oven-safe, you can simply use the same skillet.
Spread the mixture evenly.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top.
Bake
Place the dish in the preheated oven.
Bake uncovered for approximately 10–15 minutes, until the mozzarella has melted and the edges are bubbling.
For a more golden cheese topping, switch to the broiler for the final 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully because the cheese can brown quickly.
Remove from the oven and let the pasta rest for approximately 5 minutes.
Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm.
Best Tips
Cook the penne slightly under al dente because it will continue cooking during baking.
Use freshly grated Parmesan when possible because it melts more smoothly into the sauce.
Don’t overcrowd the skillet when searing the chicken.
Cook the chicken in batches if necessary to encourage proper browning.
Slice the mushrooms evenly so they cook at the same rate.
Add the garlic toward the end of sautéing the vegetables to prevent it from burning.
If the sauce becomes too thick, loosen it with a small amount of chicken broth or reserved pasta water.
Let the finished pasta bake rest for a few minutes before serving so the sauce can settle.
Best Ingredient Options
Chicken
Boneless, skinless chicken breast works perfectly for this recipe.
You can also use boneless chicken thighs for a richer and more tender result.
Mushrooms
Cremini and button mushrooms are excellent choices.
For a deeper mushroom flavor, combine cremini mushrooms with sliced baby bella mushrooms.
Cream
Heavy cream produces the richest sauce.
Half-and-half can be used for a lighter sauce, although the finished dish will be slightly less rich.
Cheese
Fresh Parmesan gives the sauce a savory, nutty flavor.
Mozzarella provides the melted, stretchy topping.
For extra flavor, you can add a small amount of provolone or fontina.
Recipe Variations
Spinach Tuscan Chicken Pasta
Add 2 cups of fresh baby spinach to the sauce just before combining the pasta.
Cook until the spinach wilts.
Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta
Add ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the mushroom mixture for a sweet and tangy Tuscan-inspired flavor.
Creamy Mushroom Pasta
Skip the chicken and increase the mushrooms for a vegetarian-style creamy pasta bake.
Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Spicy Garlic Chicken Pasta
Add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the garlic sauce for a gentle kick.
Extra-Cheesy Pasta Bake
Add an additional ½ cup of mozzarella over the top before baking.
You can also mix a little shredded provolone into the pasta.
What to Serve With
Serve this creamy chicken pasta bake with a simple green salad.
Garlic bread is another excellent choice for soaking up the creamy Parmesan sauce.
Steamed broccoli, roasted asparagus, or green beans add freshness and balance to the rich pasta.
For a complete family dinner, serve smaller portions alongside a fresh vegetable side dish.
Make-Ahead Instructions
You can assemble the pasta bake several hours before cooking.
Prepare the pasta, chicken, mushrooms, and cream sauce as directed.
Combine everything and transfer it to the baking dish.
Cover tightly and refrigerate.
When ready to bake, allow the dish to sit briefly while the oven preheats.
You may need to add several extra minutes to the baking time if the casserole is very cold.
Storage
Allow leftovers to cool before transferring them to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Keep the pasta refrigerated and reheat only the amount you plan to eat.
Reheating
For individual portions, reheat gently in the microwave.
Add a small splash of milk or chicken broth before reheating to loosen the creamy sauce.
For larger portions, cover the baking dish with foil and reheat at 175°C / 350°F until hot throughout.
Avoid overheating because cream-based sauces can become thick or separate.
Freezing
This pasta bake can be frozen, although the creamy sauce may change slightly in texture after thawing.
For best results, freeze the assembled dish before baking.
Wrap tightly and freeze for up to approximately 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overcooking the pasta: Cook it slightly under al dente because it continues cooking in the oven.
Using cold cream: Room-temperature or slightly warmed dairy incorporates more easily into the sauce.
Adding the cream too quickly: Gradually add the liquids while stirring to create a smooth sauce.
Burning the garlic: Garlic only needs a short time to become fragrant.
Overcooking the chicken: Cook just until done to keep it tender.
Using too much flour: Excess flour can make the sauce heavy and pasty.
Skipping the resting time: A short rest helps the creamy sauce cling to the pasta.
Nutrition Estimate
Approximate values per serving, assuming 6 servings. Actual nutrition varies according to ingredients and portion size.
| Nutrient | Estimated Amount |
| Calories | ~620 kcal |
| Protein | ~40 g |
| Fat | ~29 g |
| Carbohydrates | ~54 g |
| Fiber | ~3 g |
| Sugar | ~6 g |
| Sodium | ~850 mg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breast?
Yes.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work very well and provide a richer flavor.
Can I use another pasta shape?
Absolutely.
Rigatoni, ziti, penne rigate, rotini, or farfalle can all work well.
Choose a pasta shape with ridges or curves that can hold onto the creamy sauce.
Can I make this recipe without mushrooms?
Yes.
Simply omit the mushrooms or replace them with spinach, zucchini, or another vegetable you enjoy.
Can I use half-and-half instead of heavy cream?
Yes.
Half-and-half creates a lighter sauce, although it may not become quite as rich or thick as a sauce made with heavy cream.
Can I prepare this pasta bake ahead?
Yes.
Assemble the dish, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake.
How do I make the sauce creamier?
Use freshly grated Parmesan and avoid overheating the sauce.
A small amount of reserved pasta water can also help create a smoother consistency.
Can I make this in one skillet?
Yes.
If you use an oven-safe skillet, you can prepare the sauce, combine the pasta and chicken, add mozzarella, and transfer the skillet directly to the oven.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken & Mushroom Penne Bake is the perfect combination of tender chicken, golden mushrooms, garlic, creamy Parmesan sauce, and bubbly mozzarella.
It’s comforting enough for a cozy weekend dinner but simple enough for a busy weeknight meal.
With its rich flavor, easy preparation, and family-friendly ingredients, this baked chicken pasta recipe deserves a regular place in your dinner rotation. 🍗🍄🧄🧀