Healthy & Hearty: Weight Watchers Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake

Indulge in a classic comfort food reimagined for a healthier lifestyle with this incredible Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake. Creamy, cheesy, and bursting with flavor, this dish proves you don’t have to sacrifice taste to stay on track. We’ve taken the beloved Alfredo pasta bake and given it a delightful Weight Watchers-friendly twist, skipping the heavy cream but keeping all the satisfying richness you crave. Featuring tender, succulent roasted chicken, crispy bits of savory bacon, nutrient-rich whole wheat pasta, and vibrant broccoli florets, it’s all baked together in a lightened-up, dreamy Alfredo-style sauce that will leave your taste buds delighted and your stomach full.

This isn’t just any pasta bake; it’s a hearty, cheesy masterpiece perfect for chilly evenings or any time you need a warm, fulfilling dinner that feels like a treat. Best of all, each generous serving clocks in at just 5 Weight Watchers Points, making it an incredibly smart choice for enjoying your favorite comfort foods guilt-free. Ready to explore more delicious and easy-to-make meals that fit seamlessly into your healthy eating plan? Be sure to browse our extensive collection of Weight Watchers dinner recipes to keep your weekly menu exciting, fresh, and perfectly on point.

Why You’ll Love This Healthy Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake

This Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake isn’t just a recipe; it’s a testament to how satisfying and delicious healthy eating can be. Here’s why this dish is destined to become a staple in your kitchen:

• Unbeatable Comfort Food: It delivers all the nostalgic warmth and rich flavors of a classic Alfredo bake without the heavy guilt. Perfect for cozy family dinners!
• Weight Watchers Friendly: Designed specifically to be low in points (just 5 WW Points per serving!), it supports your health goals while letting you enjoy a truly delicious meal.
• Packed with Flavor: The combination of tender chicken, smoky bacon, and a creamy, cheesy sauce creates a symphony of flavors that will delight everyone at the table.
• Loaded with Goodness: With whole wheat pasta for fiber and broccoli for essential vitamins, this bake is as nutritious as it is tasty.
• Simple & Straightforward: Despite its impressive taste, the recipe is incredibly easy to follow, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Prep ahead or whip it up fresh!
• Family-Approved: Even picky eaters will love this dish. It’s a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables and whole grains into your family’s diet without them even realizing it.
• Perfect for Meal Prep: This pasta bake makes excellent leftovers, offering a convenient and healthy lunch or dinner option for days to come.

Recipe Overview

This dish is designed for maximum flavor and minimal fuss. Here’s a quick glance at what to expect:

• Serving Size: A generous 1 ½ cups, ensuring you feel fully satisfied.
• Number of Servings: This recipe yields 6 servings, making it perfect for families or for meal prepping throughout the week.
• Total Time to Cook: Approximately 40 minutes (including prep and baking), making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights.
• 5 WW Points Per Serving: Enjoy this delicious meal knowing it fits perfectly within your Weight Watchers plan. You can view the official recipe on the WW App here. (WW login required for access.)

Key Ingredients for a Lighter Alfredo

Crafting a lighter Alfredo means making smart ingredient choices without compromising on the creamy, rich texture. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of flavor and health consciousness:

• 2 cups cooked roasted chicken breast, cut into large cubes (about 280 g): Opting for lean chicken breast provides a fantastic source of protein. Roasting it beforehand adds depth of flavor and ensures it stays tender in the bake. You can use homemade, store-bought rotisserie chicken, or even leftover chicken to save time.
• 1 cup whole wheat penne pasta, uncooked (about 90 g): Whole wheat pasta is a key healthy swap, offering more fiber than white pasta, which helps with satiety and digestive health. Penne’s tubular shape is perfect for holding onto that delicious creamy sauce.
• 2 cups cream of chicken soup (480 ml): This is our secret weapon for a rich, creamy sauce without the need for heavy cream. Look for a low-fat or condensed version to keep the points low. It provides a savory base that emulsifies beautifully with the milk.
• ½ cup skim milk (120 ml): Skim milk lightens the sauce considerably while still contributing to its creamy consistency. It blends seamlessly with the cream of chicken soup to create that luscious Alfredo-like texture.
• 2 cups steamed broccoli florets (about 150 g): Broccoli adds a wonderful pop of color, essential nutrients, and a slight textural bite. It’s a fantastic way to boost the vegetable content of the dish and make it even more wholesome.
• ½ cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded (about 50 g): Cheese is crucial for any pasta bake! Using low-fat cheddar allows for that irresistible cheesy top and melty goodness throughout, without adding excessive points.
• 2 strips of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (about 25 g): A little bit of crisp, smoky bacon goes a long way in adding a burst of flavor and a delightful textural contrast. Cooking it until crisp helps render out more fat, making it leaner.
• Salt and pepper to taste: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the dish. Adjust according to your preference.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Perfect Pasta Bake

Follow these detailed steps to create a truly delicious and satisfying Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake:

1. Prepare Your Baking Dish and Pasta: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch (or similar size) baking dish; this prevents sticking and makes cleanup easier. Next, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add the whole wheat penne pasta and cook it until it’s slightly underdone—aim for about 2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. This is a crucial step because the pasta will continue to cook in the oven, ensuring it reaches perfect al dente tenderness and doesn’t become mushy. To check for readiness, bite into a piece; it should be firm with a tiny white dot visible in the center. Once ready, drain the pasta thoroughly and rinse it immediately with cold water. This rinsing step is essential to halt the cooking process and prevent the pasta from overcooking.
2. Steam the Broccoli to Perfection: While your pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli florets. You want them to turn a vibrant green and become slightly tender, but still retain a firm bite. Avoid overcooking, as they will soften further in the oven. As soon as they reach this stage, rinse them with cold water. This preserves their bright color and stops any residual cooking.
3. Whip Up the Creamy Sauce: In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup with the skim milk. Stir these two ingredients together thoroughly until you achieve a smooth, consistent mixture. This forms the lightened-up, yet incredibly flavorful, Alfredo-style sauce base.
4. Layer the Foundation: Spread about 3 tablespoons of your prepared creamy soup mixture evenly over the bottom of your greased baking dish. This initial layer prevents the pasta from sticking and infuses flavor from the bottom up.
5. Add Pasta and Chicken: Now, evenly distribute the slightly undercooked penne pasta over the sauce in the baking dish. On top of the pasta, arrange the cubed roasted chicken breast in a single, even layer.
6. Introduce Veggies and Bacon: Next, layer the steamed broccoli florets over the chicken, ensuring they are spread out evenly throughout the dish. Then, sprinkle the crumbled bacon bits over the broccoli. Make sure the bacon is distributed well so that every bite gets a touch of smoky flavor.
7. Douse with Sauce and Cheese: Pour the remaining cream of chicken and milk mixture evenly over all the layers in the baking dish. Let it seep down into the pasta and other ingredients. Finally, generously sprinkle the shredded low-fat cheddar cheese over the entire top of the bake. This will create that irresistible golden, bubbly crust.
8. Bake to Golden Perfection: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in your preheated oven for 20 minutes. This initial covered baking allows the flavors to meld and the pasta to finish cooking without drying out. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is beautifully melted, bubbly, and lightly golden brown.
9. Rest Before Serving: Once out of the oven, let the pasta bake rest for at least 5 minutes before you serve it. This short resting period allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly, making for easier, cleaner servings and a more cohesive dish.

Expert Tips & Customization Ideas

This recipe is designed to be effortlessly simple, yet it delivers a depth of flavor that feels like you’ve spent hours perfecting it. Here are some pro tips and clever tricks to make your Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake even better and perfectly suited to your tastes:

• Time-Saving Chicken Hack: If you’re really short on time or just looking for ultimate convenience, don’t hesitate to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken breast. Simply shred or cube it. It’s already cooked, flavorful, and will significantly cut down your prep time, making this an even faster weeknight meal.
• Cream of Chicken Soup Alternatives: While canned cream of chicken soup works wonderfully for its convenience and creamy texture, you have options. You can use an instant cream of chicken soup mix prepared according to package directions, or even consider a homemade version if you prefer to control ingredients more closely. For a different flavor profile, a cream of mushroom or celery soup could also be interesting, though it would alter the classic Alfredo essence.
• The Al Dente Pasta Secret: The most crucial cooking tip here is to slightly undercook your pasta. By cooking it about 2 minutes less than the package recommends, you ensure it finishes perfectly al dente in the oven, absorbing the sauce without becoming soft or mushy. That tiny white dot in the center is your cue! Rinsing with cold water immediately after draining stops any residual cooking.
• Bright and Crisp Broccoli: Similar to the pasta, precision in cooking the broccoli is key. Steam it just enough so it turns a vibrant green and is tender-crisp. You want it to still have a little bite. Rinsing it quickly with cold water right after steaming locks in its color and stops it from getting too soft before it goes into the bake.
• Making Bacon Leaner: We know “lean bacon” sounds almost contradictory, but a few tricks can help! Choose bacon with less visible fat if possible. Fry it until it’s very crisp, allowing most of the fat to render out. After cooking, immediately transfer the crumbled bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to soak up any excess grease. This simple step helps reduce the fat content significantly without sacrificing that irresistible smoky flavor.
• Bacon Alternatives for Lower Points: If you want to entirely skip the bacon points or prefer a different flavor, consider substituting it with lean smoked ham chips or even turkey bacon. Both offer a savory, smoky element that complements the dish beautifully while being even lighter.
• Boost Your Veggies: Feel free to add other quick-cooking vegetables like frozen peas, chopped spinach (sautéed and squeezed dry), or even diced bell peppers to enhance the nutritional value and color of your bake.
• Cheesy Variations: While low-fat cheddar is excellent, you can experiment with other low-fat cheeses like mozzarella or a Colby Jack blend for different flavor profiles and melt characteristics.
• Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle kick if you enjoy a little heat. Garlic powder and onion powder can also be added to the sauce for an extra layer of savory flavor.

Storage, Freezing, and Reheating

This Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake is fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying as leftovers. Here’s how to properly store and reheat it:

• Storage: Allow the pasta bake to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: This dish freezes well! To freeze, ensure it’s completely cooled. You can freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for easy grab-and-go meals, or freeze the entire bake (if using a freezer-safe dish, covered tightly with foil and then plastic wrap). It will keep in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating from Refrigerator: For individual servings, microwave on high for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through. For larger portions, cover with foil and reheat in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You may want to add a splash of milk to prevent it from drying out.
• Reheating from Frozen: If reheating a whole frozen bake, thaw it in the refrigerator first. Then, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 30-40 minutes, or until heated through. If reheating individual frozen portions, you can microwave directly from frozen, adding an extra few minutes to the cooking time, stirring periodically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I use a different type of pasta?

Yes, you can! While penne works great, rotini, ziti, or even elbow macaroni would also be good choices. Just remember to use whole wheat pasta for the Weight Watchers benefit and to slightly undercook it before baking.

What if I don’t have roasted chicken breast?

Any cooked chicken will work! Boiled, pan-fried, or grilled chicken breast can be cubed and used. As mentioned, a rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut. Just make sure it’s fully cooked before adding it to the bake.

Is there a dairy-free option for the sauce?

Substituting dairy can be tricky in this recipe. You could try using a dairy-free cream of mushroom soup and a plant-based milk (like unsweetened almond milk), along with a dairy-free shredded cheese. However, the texture and flavor might differ slightly from the original recipe.

Can I add more vegetables?

Absolutely! This pasta bake is very forgiving when it comes to added vegetables. Sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or even a handful of fresh spinach (stirred in during the last few minutes of baking) would be delicious additions. Just ensure any added veggies are chopped to a suitable size and pre-cooked if they require longer cooking times.

How can I make this spicier?

For a little heat, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture before layering, or sprinkle some on top before baking. You can also add a dash of hot sauce to your individual serving.

Related Recipes

If you loved this comforting pasta bake, you’ll definitely want to try these other delicious and easy recipes:

Turkey Sloppy Joe Pasta Bake

Chicken Enchilada Pasta Bake

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Chicken Bacon Alfredo Pasta Bake

Servings: 6

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Cook: 25 minutes mins

Total: 40 minutes mins

A rich and creamy one-pot dinner for the whole family.

Ingredients 

• ▢ 2 cups cooked roasted chicken breast, cut into large cubes (about 280 g)
• ▢ 1 cup whole wheat penne pasta, uncooked (about 90 g)
• ▢ 2 cups cream of chicken soup, 480 ml
• ▢ ½ cup skim milk, 120 ml
• ▢ 2 cups steamed broccoli florets, about 150 g
• ▢ ½ cup low-fat cheddar cheese, shredded (about 50 g)
• ▢ 2 strips of bacon, cooked until crisp and crumbled (about 25 g)
• ▢ Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch (or similar size) baking dish. Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat penne and cook it until it’s slightly underdone—about 2 minutes less than the package instructions recommend. This is important because the pasta will finish cooking in the oven. To check, bite into a piece and look for a tiny white dot in the center—that means it’s ready. Drain the pasta and rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process.
• While the pasta is cooking, steam the broccoli florets just until they turn a vibrant green and are slightly tender but still firm. Rinse them with cold water immediately to preserve the color and stop further cooking.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup and the skim milk. Stir until the mixture is smooth.
• Spread 3 tablespoons of the creamy mixture over the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
• Add the cooked pasta evenly over the base. On top of the pasta, layer the cubed roasted chicken breast.
• Then, add the steamed broccoli florets, spreading them evenly. Sprinkle the crumbled bacon over the broccoli, making sure it’s distributed throughout.
• Pour the remaining cream of chicken and milk mixture evenly over the top, letting it soak into the layers. Finally, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over everything.
• Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 more minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving so the layers can settle.

Notes

5 WW Points per serving. 

 

Nutrition

Serving: 234gCalories: 233kcalCarbohydrates: 21gProtein: 20gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 2.7gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 1723mgPotassium: 290mgFiber: 6.3gSugar: 2.6gCalcium: 120mgIron: 2.7mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

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