When you want a comfort food for dinner, it is hard to beat this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe. Not only does it make a hearty complete meal the family will love, but it is super easy to prepare too!
Rotisserie chicken or chicken fingers are combined with pasta, broccoli, cheese, ranch seasoning and a few other items then topped with bacon and cheese. All these delicious flavors meld together delightfully to create chicken bacon casserole pasta dinner for any night of the week.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Let's prepare this Chicken bacon ranch casserole recipe together. Here I've included step by step instructions with pictures. You can also jump down to the printable recipe card if you prefer.
The recipe makes 6 servings.
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 35 mins
Casserole Ingredients:
Here is everything you will need to make the bacon chicken casserole.
- 4 cups cooked pasta (about 8 ounces dry macaroni)- cavatappi is used here, but any macaroni or shells would be great choices, penne pasta is popular in this casserole dish
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped - breaded chicken breast strips used here, but rotisserie chicken or any other leftover chicken will work well
- 14 ounce bag of frozen broccoli florets
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix or 2 tablespoons of my homemade ranch seasoning mix
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup Colby jack or cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese, shredded
- 6 strips of crispy bacon, crumbled
- Chopped tomato and green onion, for garnish
- cooking spray
Tip: Cook pasta al dente, so it doesn't become mushy.
Preparation Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and lightly spray a 13x9 casserole dish with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray or grease a deep large skillet.
In a large bowl, add chicken, pasta, broccoli, mayonnaise, milk, ranch packet, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and half of each cheese. Mix until well combined.
Spread mixture evenly in prepared baking dish (or skillet).
Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and sprinkle on the crispy crumbled bacon and remaining cheeses.
Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
Garnish with tomato and green onion, serve, and enjoy!
Variations on the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
Like with most casserole recipes, there are a wide array of successful variations to the dish. Here are a few you may wish to consider.
- Use ranch salad dressing in place of the mayonnaise in the recipe.
- A mixture of Alfredo sauce and sour cream instead of the milk and mayo used here is another popular option and doesn't take away from the ranch flavor of the casserole. To make it this way, simply mix a jar of alfredo sauce, ½ cup of sour cream and the ranch dressing mix together, then toss together with the other ingredients (reserving the bacon and some cheese for toppings).
- Instead of chopped broccoli you can add some other frozen or leftover cooked veggies to the casserole.
What to Serve with the Casserole
The casserole already has starch, meat, dairy, and vegetable in it, so side dishes are not really necessary. Starting with a green salad with Avocado Ranch or a Garlic Parmesan Ranch would be nice.
For a beverage, Raspberry Iced Tea or Pineapple Lemonade would me delicious options. If you want something with a little kick, perhaps try my Bourbon Iced Tea with Citrus or a Bay Breeze cocktail.
When it comes to dessert, something easy to make like the casserole itself makes sense. I suggest trying my Peach Dump Cake, Kool Aid Pie recipe or a batch of Banana Oatmeal Cookies with Chocolate Chips.
Storing the Casserole
Like many casserole recipes the recipe may be prepared in advance and you may freeze the casserole. Here is how to store leftovers.
Refrigerate
To store in the refrigerator, first allow the pasta casserole to cool. Then scoop into an airtight container and seal. Refrigerate promptly. The leftovers will last in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. [see USDA for more info]
Freeze
Freezing is a good way to store the rest of the casserole for longer. The sealed leftover casserole will be good for up to 3 months in the freezer.
Reheating
To heat the reheated food, microwave a portion or sauté in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes until hot throughout.
If you enjoyed this comfort food casserole, try out my Crock Pot Chicken Alfredo, Slow Cooker Meatloaf, Chicken Tetrazzini, or Chicken Fajita Pasta all are easy and satisfying options for busy evenings.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked pasta * cavatappi is used herebut any macaroni or shells would be great choices, penne pasta is popular in this casserole dish
- 3 cups cooked chicken chopped - chicken tenders used here, but rotisserie chicken or any other leftover chicken will work well
- 14 ounce bag of frozen broccoli florets
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix or my homemade ranch seasoning mix
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup Colby jack or cheddar cheese shredded
- ½ cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 6 slices bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
- Chopped tomato and green onion for garnish
- shortening or cooking spray to coat dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly spray a 13x9 casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, mix pasta, chicken, broccoli, mayonnaise, milk, ranch packet, red pepper flakes, black pepper, and half of each cheese until well combined.
- Spread mixture evenly in baking dish.
- Bake uncovered for 25 minutes.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle on crumbled bacon and remaining cheeses.
- Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
- Garnish with tomato and green onion, serve, and enjoy!
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