Description

This Crazy Good Casserole is a comforting, cheesy baked pasta dish packed with tender chicken, crispy bacon, and a creamy sauce that makes for an irresistible meal. Perfect for family dinners, it’s easy to prepare and yields a satisfying and flavorful casserole that everyone will love.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein and Pasta

2 cups cooked chicken
12 oz rotini pasta
6 slices bacon

Dairy and Sauce

2 cups shredded cheese (mozzarella and cheddar blend)
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream

Seasonings and Garnish

1 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick.
Cook pasta: Boil the rotini pasta in salted water until just under al dente, then drain it thoroughly to avoid excess moisture.
Cook bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon slices until crispy. Drain on paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
Mix sauce: In a large bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper, mixing until smooth and well blended.
Combine ingredients: Add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, half of the crumbled bacon, and half of the shredded cheese to the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients.
Assemble casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly for uniform cooking.
Add toppings: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese and crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is golden and melted.
Rest and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired before serving.

Notes

For a milder flavor, use only mozzarella cheese instead of the blend.
You can substitute rotini with other pasta shapes like penne or corkscrew.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Ensure pasta is slightly undercooked as it will continue to cook in the oven.
Adding chopped vegetables like bell peppers or mushrooms can enhance the casserole’s flavor and nutrition.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chicken casserole, cheesy casserole, baked pasta dish, comfort food, easy dinner recipe, bacon casserole