What's for dinner tonight: Pesto-Chicken Penne Casserole

Creamy, flavorful and so easy to fix, this meal-in-one will wow family and friends. Get ready for recipe requests for this easy chicken casserole! —Laura Kayser, Ankeny, Iowa

12 ServingsPrep: 20 min. Bake: 40 min.

Ingredients

• 1 package (16 ounces) penne pasta
• 6 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Italian cheese blend
• 3 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1 can (15 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• 1 jar (15 ounces) Alfredo sauce
• 1-1/2 cups 2% milk
• 1 jar (8.1 ounces) prepared pesto
• 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large
• bowl, combine the chicken, cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, Alfredo
• sauce, milk and pesto. Drain pasta and add to chicken mixture; toss
• to coat.
• Transfer to two greased 8-in. square baking dishes. In a small bowl,
• combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese and oil; sprinkle over
• casseroles.
• Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the
• remaining casserole at 350° for 40-45 minutes or until bubbly.
• To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove
• from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake at

SOURCE:  http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pesto-chicken-penne-casseroles/print

I didn't have Alfredo sauce, so I'm making my own from this recipe:

l recipe makes 4 servingsChange Servings

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder

• 2 cups milk
• 6 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Directions

1. Melt butter in a medium, non-stick saucepan over medium heat. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, stirring with wire whisk until smooth. Add milk, a little at a time, whisking to smooth out lumps. Stir in Parmesan and pepper. Remove from heat when sauce reaches desired consistency. Sauce will thicken rapidly, thin with milk if cooked too long. Toss with hot pasta to serve.

Source:  http://allrecipes.com/recipe/quick-and-easy-alfredo-sauce/