Description
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a creamy, cheesy casserole perfect for a comforting family meal. Featuring tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and a flavorful ranch seasoning blend, it's baked to bubbly perfection with mozzarella cheese and tender penne pasta.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)
- 2 tablespoons Ranch Dressing Seasoning mix
- 1 can condensed cream of chicken soup (10.75 ounces)
- 1 cup sour cream (230 grams)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- 7 slices bacon, cooked, drained, and crumbled, divided (about 3-4 tablespoons reserved for topping)
- 8 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine ingredients: In a 9×13 inch casserole dish, mix together the shredded chicken, minced garlic, ranch seasoning mix, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and one cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Reserve about 4 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon for topping and add the remaining bacon to the casserole mixture.
- Add pasta and mix: Fold the cooked and drained penne pasta gently into the chicken mixture, ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the creamy sauce. Spread the mixture out evenly in the casserole dish.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese and reserved crumbled bacon evenly over the pasta. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes in the preheated oven until the casserole is bubbly, warm throughout, and cheese is melted with a slightly crispy top.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta warm for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience or cook and shred chicken breasts alternatively.
- Bacon can be cooked in a skillet or baked in the oven for even crispiness.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
- Adding chopped green onions or fresh parsley on top before serving adds color and freshness.
- This casserole can be prepared a day ahead, refrigerated, and baked right before serving.
- If you prefer a softer top, cover the casserole with foil while baking; uncover for the last 5 minutes for slight browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg
