Description
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a comforting casserole dish combining tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, creamy ranch-seasoned sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese over penne pasta. This easy-to-make recipe bakes to bubbly perfection, delivering a hearty and flavorful meal perfect for family dinners.
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 (3-4 tablespoons reserved for topping)
- 8 ounces penne pasta, cooked and drained
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine ingredients: In a 9x13 inch casserole dish, mix shredded chicken, minced garlic, ranch dressing seasoning mix, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Reserve about 4 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon, then add the remaining bacon to the mixture and stir to combine.
- Add pasta: Incorporate the cooked and drained penne pasta into the casserole mixture, gently stirring to coat the pasta evenly with the creamy sauce. Spread the mixture evenly in the casserole dish.
- Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the pasta, then top with the reserved crumbled bacon. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until the casserole is bubbly, warm, and the cheese is melted and slightly browned for a crispy top.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving warm for the best flavor experience.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves prep time and adds extra flavor.
- For a crispier topping, bake the casserole uncovered as instructed.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- To reduce sodium, choose low-sodium soup and ranch seasoning or make your own seasoning mix.
- You can substitute penne pasta with any other short pasta like rigatoni or ziti.
- For a dairy-free option, replace sour cream and cheese with vegan alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
