If you’re searching for an elegant, yet incredibly simple dish to impress your family or satisfy a comfort food craving, these Chicken Alfredo Roll Ups are the answer. Combining tender lasagna noodles, savory shredded chicken, and a decadent homemade garlic Alfredo sauce, this recipe is pure baked perfection.
Each roll-up features a creamy, cheesy filling packed inside a tender noodle, all swimming in a luscious Alfredo sauce and topped with bubbly, golden mozzarella cheese.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Rich, savory, and intensely cheesy. The flavor is defined by the depth of the grated Parmesan and the aromatic blend of minced and powdered garlic, complemented by a hint of Italian seasoning.
- Texture: Extremely creamy and satisfying. You have the soft chewiness of the lasagna noodles, the tender shredded chicken, and a supremely smooth, thick Alfredo sauce, all sealed with melted, bubbly mozzarella.
- Time Commitment: Requires about 35–45 minutes of active time (cooking noodles, making sauce, and rolling), followed by 25–30 minutes of hands-off baking.
- Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate. While the sauce is simple, the recipe involves multiple assembly steps specifically, cooking the noodles, making the sauce, and carefully rolling each individual noodle.
What You’ll Need
This recipe hinges on the quality of its homemade sauce. The components include pre-cooked shredded chicken (a rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut!), classic lasagna noodles, and two different kinds of cheese: Parmesan for the sauce’s depth and mozzarella for the gooey filling and topping. The creamy sauce is built on a base of butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese for ultimate richness.
Ingredient Notes
- Cooked and Shredded Chicken – Using pre-cooked chicken, like a rotisserie chicken, saves significant time. The chicken should be shredded finely so it mixes well with the cheese and sauce and is easy to spread and roll inside the noodles.
- Heavy Whipping Cream – This is essential for achieving a rich, velvety texture in the Alfredo sauce. Do not substitute this with milk or half-and-half, as the sauce will not thicken properly.
- Cream Cheese – The cream cheese adds stability and extra creaminess to the sauce, ensuring it doesn’t separate when baked and giving it a wonderful body.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese – Freshly grated Parmesan cheese melts beautifully and provides a sharper, nuttier flavor than pre-grated varieties. It is the key salty, savory component of the Alfredo.
- Lasagna Noodles – Cooking the lasagna noodles to the precise texture (according to package directions, achieving al dente) is crucial, as they will finish cooking and softening in the oven.
Add-ins and Substitutions
These minor additions can enhance the flavor without altering the core method:
- Vegetable Boost: Sauté 1 cup of finely chopped fresh spinach or small diced mushrooms and mix them into the shredded chicken filling before rolling.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the Alfredo sauce for a subtle warmth that cuts through the richness.
- Cheese Variation: Substitute a blend of white cheddar and provolone for the mozzarella topping for a sharper, nuttier crust.
- Herb Freshness: Add 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh basil or parsley to the filling mixture for an herbal lift.
How to Make Chicken Alfredo Roll Ups
Getting the noodles just right and mastering the quick Alfredo sauce are the keys to this wonderful casserole.
Cook Noodles and Make Sauce
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray and set it aside. Cook the 8 lasagna noodles according to the package directions until they reach the al dente stage. Drain the hot noodles and rinse them immediately with cold water. Lay the rinsed noodles flat on a layer of paper towels to remove excess water.
Meanwhile, make the rich Alfredo sauce. In a medium saucepan, add the unsalted butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese. Cook this mixture over medium heat, whisking constantly until the butter and cream cheese are fully melted and incorporated. Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, and continue to whisk until the sauce is completely smooth. Add the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and continue cooking for about 3–5 minutes, or until the sauce begins to noticeably thicken.
Assemble the Roll Ups
Line the bottom of your prepared 9×13-inch pan with 1 cup of the finished Alfredo sauce.
Lay out your dried lasagna noodles flat. Spread 2 tablespoons of the Alfredo sauce evenly over each noodle. Next, spread 2 tablespoons of the shredded chicken evenly over the sauced noodle, and top that with about 3 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese.
Pro Tip: Do not overfill the noodles. Keeping the filling amounts precise (2 tablespoons of chicken and 3 tablespoons of cheese) ensures the noodles roll up easily and neatly without bursting open during baking.
Carefully roll up each filled lasagna noodle, starting from one short end. Place the finished roll-up seam side down in the prepared baking pan. Repeat this filling and rolling process with the remaining noodles.
Finish and Bake
Once all the roll ups are snugly arranged in the pan, pour the remaining Alfredo sauce evenly over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire surface. Bake the casserole for 25–30 minutes, or until it is heated through and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Serve immediately!
Recipe Tips
- Dry the Noodles: After rinsing, drying the noodles slightly on a paper towel prevents excess water from running into the sauce and keeps your roll-ups firmer and neater.
- Watch the Heat: When making the Alfredo sauce, keep the heat at medium. Boiling the sauce too vigorously can cause the cream cheese or heavy cream to separate or curdle.
- Grate Your Own Parmesan: While the recipe calls for grated Parmesan, grating it fresh will give you a creamier sauce consistency and superior flavor compared to the pre-grated variety in the canister.
- Rolling Direction: Always place the roll-ups seam side down in the pan. This prevents them from unraveling while the casserole bakes.
FAQs
Q: Can I use store-bought Alfredo sauce? A: You can, but this homemade recipe is so quick and uses cream cheese to guarantee a stable, rich texture that holds up better during baking than many jarred varieties.
Q: Can I substitute the chicken? A: Absolutely. Cooked, crumbled Italian sausage or even sautéed shrimp can be used in place of the shredded chicken for a different flavor profile.
Q: How do I store leftovers? A: Store any leftover roll ups tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover the dish with foil and heat in a 350-degree oven until warmed through, or microwave individual servings.
Q: What size pan should I use? A: The 9×13-inch pan is the perfect size for eight roll-ups. They should fit snugly together, which helps them keep their shape while baking.
Serving Suggestions
The richness of this dish means it pairs best with simple, clean sides to balance the meal.
- A crisp Caesar salad or a simple green salad with a light lemon dressing.
- Steamed broccoli or asparagus drizzled with olive oil and lemon zest.
- Crusty French bread or garlic bread for soaking up any extra Alfredo sauce.
- A side of roasted cherry tomatoes seasoned with a little salt and pepper.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This is an ideal meal to prep ahead of time! You can fully assemble the entire casserole cook the noodles, make the sauce, roll the fillings, pour on the remaining sauce, and top with cheese. Once assembled, cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake for an extra 10 minutes (since it is cold) or until bubbly and heated through (about 35–40 minutes total).
Chicken Alfredo Roll Ups (Elegant Comfort Food Casserole)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 roll ups 1x
Description
These Chicken Alfredo Roll Ups are an elegant, yet simple comfort food casserole perfect for family dinners or entertaining. Tender lasagna noodles are filled with a savory shredded chicken and mozzarella mixture, smothered in a decadent homemade garlic Alfredo sauce built on heavy cream and cream cheese, then baked until the cheese topping is bubbly and golden. This rich, satisfying dish is easy to prepare with pre-cooked chicken.
Ingredients
For the Roll Ups
- 2 cups chicken, cooked and shredded (rotisserie chicken works well)
- 8 lasagna noodles
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
For the Garlic Alfredo Sauce
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream (2 cups)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
Step 1: Prep Oven, Noodles, and Sauce
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Cook the 8 lasagna noodles until they are al dente, according to package directions. Drain, rinse immediately with cold water, and lay flat on paper towels to remove excess water.
Step 2: Make the Alfredo Sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the butter, heavy whipping cream, and cream cheese. Whisk constantly until fully melted and smooth. Add the minced garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper; whisk until smooth. Stir in the 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3–5 minutes until the sauce noticeably thickens.
Step 3: Assemble the Roll Ups
Pour 1 cup of the finished Alfredo sauce into the bottom of the prepared 9×13-inch pan. Lay out the dried lasagna noodles flat. Spread 2 tablespoons of the Alfredo sauce, 2 tablespoons of the shredded chicken, and 3 tablespoons of the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over each noodle.
Step 4: Roll and Bake
Carefully roll up each filled lasagna noodle, starting from a short end. Place the finished roll-up seam side down in the prepared baking pan. Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce evenly over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle the remaining shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire surface. Bake the casserole for 25–30 minutes, or until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve immediately.
Notes
Prep Ahead: This casserole can be fully assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When ready to bake, remove the plastic and bake for 35–40 minutes since it will be chilled.
Cheese Quality: For the best flavor and creamiest consistency in the sauce, use freshly grated Parmesan cheese rather than pre-grated varieties in a canister.
Prevent Separation: When making the Alfredo sauce, keep the heat at medium and avoid letting the sauce boil vigorously. This prevents the heavy cream and cream cheese from separating or curdling.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 roll up
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 48g
- Saturated Fat: 28g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 150mg
Keywords: chicken alfredo roll ups, baked lasagna roll ups, easy alfredo recipe, chicken casserole, creamy pasta bake, homemade alfredo sauce
