Go Back
Ghostly Chicken Alfredo Baked Ziti
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Large skillet
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Mixing bowl

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces ziti pasta
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 4 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into ghost shapes
  • 8 black olive slices
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9 by 13 inch baking dish.
  • Cook the ziti in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
  • Add the chicken breasts to the skillet, season with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink inside, about 6 to 7 minutes per side. Remove the chicken, let it rest briefly, then dice into bite-size pieces.
  • Pour the heavy cream into the same skillet and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan until the sauce thickens slightly.
  • Combine the cooked ziti, diced chicken, and Alfredo sauce in a large bowl, then transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella over the top. Arrange the ghost-shaped fresh mozzarella slices on the surface and add olive slices as eyes.
  • Bake for 20 minutes until the cheese melts and the edges bubble. Let the dish rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use a round cookie cutter or small knife to shape the fresh mozzarella ghosts ahead of time so they hold their form during baking. Leftovers reheat well in a 350 degree oven with a splash of milk stirred in to loosen the sauce. If you prefer a milder garlic flavor, reduce the cloves to two.
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Equipment: Large pot, Large skillet, 9x13 baking dish, Mixing bowl