Italian Chicken Casserole

This easy Italian Chicken Casserole is a creamy pasta bake with chicken, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheese! The perfect make-ahead dinner recipe.

I originally published this recipe in March 2015. I have updated the recipe notes and added new photos in March 2026.

Aimee’s Recipe Notes

The dreaded question, “What’s for dinner?” I am either prepared or not, with a full month menu, or nothing in the fridge.

This Italian Chicken Casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, but also makes a great dinner to give a new mom or a sick family member.

• With creamy sauce, Italian seasoned chicken and linguine pasta, this casserole is guaranteed to be a hit.
• A generous helping of spinach mixed in with the noodles and creamy sauce means you get a full serving of greens on your plate, too!
• A kid-friendly meal that satisfies the adults is always a win, especially when it doesn’t take much effort at meal time.

I hope you love this as much as my family does!

xo,

Important Ingredient Notes

If you’re looking to make this baked chicken casserole, be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for measurements.

• Chicken breasts – You can cook the chicken specifically for this recipe, use leftover Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, or buy a rotisserie chicken.
• Linguine noodles – If you prefer, you can use another pasta shape.
• Garlic – There’s lots of garlic in this recipe for plenty of flavor!
• Sun-dried tomatoes – These deliver concentrated tomato flavor, a little bit of sweetness, and add a nice texture to the Italian chicken casserole.
• Heavy whipping cream – For a rich, creamy sauce.
• Fresh spinach – Baby spinach wilts into the casserole; the soft texture and mild flavor means you can sneak it in and your kids (hopefully!) won’t mind it.
• Parmesan cheese – If you have time to grate your own cheese, do it! It will melt more smoothly. Of course, we don’t always have time, and for those days, store-bought grated Parmesan absolutely works too.
• Mozzarella cheese – For lots of gooey, cheesy goodness. An Italian cheese blend can be used instead if you’d like.

How to Make Italian Chicken Casserole

Make the Sauce:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes, then cook for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the cornstarch and mix thoroughly.
• Whisk in the chicken broth, heavy cream and milk, then add the salt and pepper. Cook for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the spinach and Parmesan cheese, then remove from heat. 

Assemble the Casserole:

• Pour the sauce over the cooked noodles. Add the chicken and pour the mixture into a large casserole dish. 
• Top with mozzarella cheese. 

To Bake Immediately: Bake covered with foil at 350 degree for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is browned.

To Bake Later: Refrigerate unbaked casserole for up to 24 hours. Bake covered with foil in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is browned.

Tips and Tricks

• Rather than cooking the pasta until it’s completely soft, cook until it’s al dente. The pasta will continue to cook in the oven, so this keeps it from being mushy.
• Add a pinch of Italian seasoning to the garlic and sun-dried tomatoes for even more Italian flavor. 
• Sliced black olives folded in with the chicken and noodles are another great addition.
• Like a little heat in your creamy pasta? A bit of crushed red pepper goes a long way in this Italian chicken casserole!
• You can add more than just spinach to your chicken casserole. Sliced peppers, sautéed mushrooms, or zucchini would also be great additions.
• This recipe provides the perfect canvas for customizing your casserole to your taste, mood, or theme of your meal, so feel free to make it your own!

More Easy Dinner Recipes

• Cajun Chicken Pasta is one of my husband’s favorite meals! Spicy, easy, DELISH.
• Enchilada Mac and Cheese is delicious, creamy, and totally easy. Made on the stove top in minutes!
• Beef Enchilada Roll Ups are like lasagna, but not!
• Try out these Apple Stuffed Pork Chops that turn out flavorful and juicy every time!
• Chicken dinners are a favorite in my house. From this classic chicken tetrazzini recipe to my easy caprese chicken skillet, I’ve got something for everyone!
• My jalapeno popper chicken casserole is incredibly easy, cheesy, and delicious!

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Italian Chicken Casserole Recipe

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By: Aimee Shugarman

This easy Italian Chicken Casserole is a creamy pasta bake with chicken, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and cheese! The perfect make-ahead dinner recipe.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 1 pound cooked and cubed chicken breasts or use a rotisserie
• ▢ 16 ounce linguine noodles
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ▢ 4 cloves garlic pressed
• ▢ ½ cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
• ▢ 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
• ▢ 1 cup chicken broth
• ▢ 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• ▢ 1 cup milk
• ▢ 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 5 ounce package fresh spinach
• ▢ ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
• ▢ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided

Instructions 

• Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add garlic and sun dried tomatoes. Cook for about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cornstarch, mix thoroughly.
• Add chicken broth, heavy cream and milk, whisking quickly. Add salt and pepper. Heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add spinach and parmesan cheese. Remove from heat. Pour sauce over cooked noodles. Add cooked chicken and pour into a large casserole dish (13×9 size). Top with mozzarella cheese. You can bake immediately, or cover with foil and place in refrigerator until dinner.
• If baking immediately, bake covered with foil for 350 degree for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is browned.
• If baking after the dish has been refrigerated, bake covered with foil in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes.

Notes

Mix up the flavors: This recipe provides the perfect canvas for customizing your casserole to your taste, mood or the theme of your meal. Try these ideas for changing up the flavors:

• Add a pinch of Italian seasoning to the garlic and sun dried tomatoes for even more Italian flavor. Sliced black olives folded in with the chicken and noodles are another great addition.
• Like a little heat in your creamy pasta? A bit of crushed red pepper goes a long way in this pasta!
• Veggies: Feel free to add more than just spinach to your chicken casserole. Sliced peppers or zucchini would be other great additions.

See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks and step by step photos.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 34g, Saturated Fat: 19g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 12g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 138mg, Sodium: 701mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g

Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Italian

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

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