If you’re looking for a simple, easy dish that the whole family will love, look no further. This easy Alfredo pasta bake can be ready in just over 30 minutes.
My 12 year-old gets all the credit for this recipe. Once a month or so I give my boys the chance to plan and help prepare dinner.
This simple pasta bake was his choice for the main dish. The original recipe he found on Pinterest included chicken, but he wanted to go with straight pasta, so that’s what we did. 
Of course, you can probably imagine how the possibilities are endless for adding things like chicken, shrimp and vegetables to this dish. Or using different kinds of pasta.
We really love this recipe with linguine, but spaghetti and fettuccine are great too. Honestly, I can’t think of a pasta that wouldn’t pair well with Alfredo sauce.
I love that even with a homemade Alfredo sauce, this was such an easy meal to get on the table, and despite it’s plain and simple appearance, it was SO good!
I think it was the herbs de Provence, which I plan to add to all my Alfredo sauces from now on. Because this dish is baked briefly at a very high temperature, you get lots of wonderful browning on the top. The crispy edges are my favorite part!
Just add a green salad or some steamed veggies and you’ve got a complete dinner that the will please even the pickiest of eaters.
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Easy Alfredo Pasta Bake
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Omnivore
Description
A comforting classic, ready in under an hour. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or family gathering.
Ingredients
- 16 oz (454 g) linguine
- 0.25 cups (59 ml) butter
- 0.25 cups (59 ml) flour
- 1-2 cloves garlic
- 1 cups (237 ml) chicken broth
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) milk
- 2 cups (473 ml) mozzarella cheese
- 0.5 cups (118 ml) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon herbs de Provence
- 0.125 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°F (225°C). Lightly grease a large baking dish.
- Cook linguine according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large sauté pan, melt butter. Add garlic and cook until fragrant (1-2 minutes).
- Whisk in flour until smooth. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and milk, stirring until smooth.
- Cook and stir sauce for 5 minutes, or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add half the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Season with herbs de Provence, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Combine sauce with cooked linguine; toss to coat. Transfer pasta to prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.
- Let stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley (optional).
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use heavy cream instead of milk. Adjust the flour accordingly for desired consistency.
- To prevent a gummy texture, ensure the pasta is cooked al dente before adding it to the sauce.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 15
- Unsaturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 15
- Cholesterol: 50
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of pasta for this Alfredo pasta bake?
Yes, you can use different types of pasta such as spaghetti or fettuccine; however, linguine is recommended for this recipe.
How can I add protein to the Easy Alfredo Pasta Bake?
You can easily incorporate cooked chicken, shrimp, or even vegetables into the bake to enhance the dish.
What is the purpose of adding herbs de Provence to this recipe?
The herbs de Provence add a unique flavor to the homemade Alfredo sauce, enriching the overall taste of the pasta bake.
Herbs de Provence in alfredo sounded wrong to me too, but one dinner in I was sold. Used linguine the way the author suggests. Crispy browned top edges were my favorite bite on the plate. The 12-year-old who came up with this has better instincts than most cookbook authors.
Is this dish freeze well? I’m giving a baby shower and wanted to make extra for the mom to put in the oven for an easy family dinner. Any suggestions? Thank you
What a thoughtful gift idea! Yes, this bake freezes well with a couple of small adjustments. The main thing to keep in mind is that cream-based sauces can sometimes separate when frozen, so your best bet is to slightly undercook the pasta (just shy of al dente) and let the whole dish cool completely before wrapping and freezing. That way it won’t go mushy when reheated.
To freeze, cover tightly with plastic wrap and then foil — it’ll keep well for up to 2 months. When she’s ready to use it, she can thaw it overnight in the fridge and bake covered at 350°F (175°C) for about 20–25 minutes, then uncover for the last 5–10 minutes to get that golden top back.
One tip: hold off on the final cheese topping and add fresh cheese just before it goes in the oven. It makes a big difference in texture. Congratulations to the new mom!
Perfect quick, hearty and tasty meal when your adult son comes home with 4 friends. They devoured it! Great last minute recipe with on hand items from your pantry!
Very glad to hear that Diane!