Description
This creamy and comforting Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta combines tender shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch-flavored sauce baked with mozzarella cheese and penne pasta. Perfect for a hearty family dinner, this casserole is easy to prepare and delivers delicious homestyle flavors.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 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)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 3-4 tablespoons cooked and crumbled bacon (reserved for topping)
- Remaining crumbled cooked bacon (for mixing in)
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta (cooked and drained)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Set your oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix chicken ingredients: In a 9×13 inch casserole dish, combine shredded chicken, minced garlic, ranch dressing seasoning mix, condensed cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Add the majority of the crumbled bacon to this mixture, reserving about 3-4 tablespoons for topping.
- Add pasta and combine: Gently fold the cooked and drained penne pasta into the chicken mixture, ensuring all pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Top the casserole: Evenly spread the pasta mixture in the casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and the reserved 3-4 tablespoons of crumbled bacon on top.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 20 minutes until it is bubbly, warmed through, and the cheese on top has melted and slightly browned for a crispy finish.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool for a few minutes before serving warm as a hearty main dish.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken is recommended for ease but you can use any cooked chicken breast or thigh meat.
- Use low-fat sour cream for a lighter version but it may affect creaminess.
- Crispier topping is achieved by baking uncovered; covering will keep it softer.
- You can substitute ranch seasoning mix with homemade blend using dried herbs like dill, parsley, garlic powder, and onion powder.
- Make sure to fully drain pasta to prevent excess water diluting the sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
