Description
This Creamy Ranch Chicken Casserole with Cheese and Pasta is pure comfort in a baking dish—tender pasta tossed with juicy chicken, a creamy ranch-seasoned sauce, and loads of melted cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners, this dish is rich, cheesy, and full of flavor that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 1 tbsp salt (for boiling water)
Chicken
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
Creamy Ranch Sauce
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup milk
- 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Cheese
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Topping (optional)
- 1/2 cup crushed buttery crackers or breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Boil pasta in salted water according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Preheat oven: Heat oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Mix the sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until smooth.
- Combine: Stir cooked pasta, chicken, 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup mozzarella into the sauce mixture until evenly coated.
- Assemble casserole: Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar and mozzarella.
- Add topping (optional): Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted. If topping, bake until golden brown.
- Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving for the perfect scoopable texture.
Notes
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken for a faster prep time.
- For a little kick, add 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños to the sauce.
- Can be made ahead—assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: creamy ranch chicken casserole, cheesy pasta bake, ranch chicken pasta, comfort food chicken bake