Looking for an amazing recipe, that cooks in minutes? Look no further than this recipe for Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto!
If you have been looking for easy casserole recipes for your air fryer, this is one of the best!
This one casserole meal is the perfect pasta dish for you! If you love easy casserole recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Chicken and Stuffing Casserole, Air Fryer Cheeseburger French Fry Casserole, or Air Fryer Ham Casserole.
Ingredients Needed For Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto Recipe
Here are the simple ingredients needed:
- Heavy cream: This adds richness and creaminess to the sauce.
- Butter: Provides a smooth and silky base for the sauce.
- Parmesan cheese: Gives the sauce its signature cheesy flavor, adding a salty and nutty dimension to the dish.
- Garlic: Minced garlic infuses the sauce with a fragrant and savory aroma.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a subtle warmth and complexity to the sauce, complementing the creamy and cheesy elements.
- Fettuccine or your preferred pasta: Fettuccine is a classic choice for Alfredo, but any pasta you love will work to soak up the delicious sauce.
- Chicken: Adding cooked chicken makes this dish heartier and adds a protein boost, making it a complete meal.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms introduce an earthy flavor and meaty texture, adding variety and richness to the dish.
- Sun-dried tomatoes: Brings a tangy and slightly sweet flavor, enhancing the overall taste with their concentrated tomato goodness.
- Spinach: Adds a pop of color and a boost of nutrients, making the dish more vibrant and wholesome.
How To Make Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto Recipe
Here are the step-by-step directions for making this delicious Copycat Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto Recipe.
Prepare the Alfredo Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.
Combine Pasta and Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the Alfredo sauce. Ensure the pasta is well coated. If adding chicken, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or spinach, mix them in with the pasta and sauce.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 360 degrees F (180°C), for 3-5 minutes.
Air Fry the Pasta: Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish that fits in your air fryer. Place the dish in the air fryer basket and set cook time for 10-12 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden and the sauce is bubbly.
Garnish and Serve: Carefully remove the dish from the air fryer. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve hot as a comforting and creamy meal.
Pro Tips For Making Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto Recipe
- Use High-Quality Ingredients: Fresh garlic and real butter will also make a significant difference in the sauce’s taste.
- Properly Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions.
- Control the Heat: When making the sauce, keep the heat at medium-low.
- Add Cheese Gradually: Gradually add the Parmesan cheese to the sauce while continuously whisking.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste the sauce before adding salt, as Parmesan cheese can be quite salty.
- Customize with Toppings: Feel free to customize the dish with additional toppings like cooked chicken, sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
- Use Leftover Chicken: If you have leftover cooked chicken, dice it and toss it into the sauce.
- Garnish for Presentation: Garnish the finished dish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh parsley.
- Serve Immediately: Alfredo sauce tends to thicken as it cools, so it’s best to serve the dish immediately after preparing.
Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto Recipe Faqs
Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce for this recipe? Yes, you can use store-bought Alfredo sauce if you’re short on time.
How do I prevent the Alfredo sauce from curdling? Keep the heat at medium-low when cooking the sauce, and avoid boiling it. Gradually add the Parmesan cheese while continuously whisking to ensure a smooth consistency.
Can I substitute the heavy cream with a lighter alternative? While heavy cream provides the richest texture, you can substitute it with half-and-half or whole milk for a lighter version.
What type of pasta works best for this recipe? Fettuccine is a classic choice for Alfredo sauce, but you can use any pasta you prefer, such as linguine, penne, or even spaghetti.
How can I make this dish gluten-free? Use gluten-free pasta and ensure that all other ingredients, such as the Parmesan cheese and pesto, are gluten-free. Check labels for any hidden gluten.
Can I add vegetables to the dish? Yes, adding vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes can enhance the flavor and nutritional value of the dish.
How do I store leftovers? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time? You can prepare the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator.
What can I use instead of Parmesan cheese? If you don’t have Parmesan cheese, you can use Pecorino Romano or Grana Padano.
Is it necessary to add the nutmeg? Adding a pinch of nutmeg is optional but recommended.
Can I use pre-cooked chicken for this recipe? Yes, using pre-cooked chicken is convenient and works well. Dice or shred the cooked chicken and add it to the sauce to heat through before serving.
How can I make the sauce more garlicky? If you love garlic, you can increase the amount of minced garlic or add a pinch of garlic powder to the sauce for an extra garlicky kick.
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Pizza Hut Chicken Alfredo Pesto
Description
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup butter, unsalted butter
- 1 to 1 1/2 cups Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, optional
- 8 ounces fettuccine , or your preferred pasta, cooked and drained
- 1/2 cup cooked chicken, diced (optional)
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced (optional)
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
- 1/4 cup spinach, chopped (optional)
- Extra Parmesan cheese and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix the cooked pasta with the Alfredo sauce. Ensure the pasta is well coated.
- If adding chicken, mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or spinach, mix them in with the pasta and sauce.
- Preheat your air fryer to 360°F (180°C).
- Transfer the pasta mixture to a baking dish that fits in your air fryer.
- Place the dish in the air fryer basket and air fry for 10-12 minutes, or until the top is slightly golden and the sauce is bubbly.
- Carefully remove the dish from the air fryer. Garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Serve hot as a comforting and creamy me
Equipment
- Baking Pan
- Cooking Spray
Nutrition
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