Baked Ziti Alfredo with Cajun Chicken

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Prep

35 min

Cook

89 min

Total

124 min

Ingredients (16)

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta g

2 tablespoons olive oil g

4 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces g

2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning, or to taste g

½ teaspoon salt g

1 large green bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces g

1 large red bell pepper, cut into bite-sized pieces g

1 large onion, chopped g

4 cloves garlic, minced, divided g

6 medium Roma tomatoes, diced g

2 tablespoons butter g

1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, or more as needed g

1 ½ cups whole milk, or more to taste g

½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, or more to taste g

salt and ground black pepper to taste g

1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese g

Nutrition

kcal

fat

carbs

protein

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook ziti in boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 10 minutes. Drain.

While ziti is cooking, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add chicken, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Sauté until chicken is cooked through and beginning to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add bell peppers, onion, and 1/2 of the garlic; cook until tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and bring to a simmer.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add flour; cook and stir for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in milk and bring to a gentle boil. Stir in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Add more Parmesan to thicken or more milk to thin to your liking.

Add cooked ziti to chicken mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a deep casserole dish. Pour cheese sauce over pasta mixture and top with mozzarella cheese.

Bake in the preheated oven until the top is golden and bubbly, about 15 minutes.