Mac and Cheese Chicken Pasta Casserole

This Mac and Cheese Chicken Pasta Casserole one-pan meal is the perfect comfort food. Easy, delicious and it will be asked for time and time again.


This Chicken Pasta Casserole is one of our family's all-time favorites using all from scratch ingredients and cheeses that easily melt.


A real traditional casserole with creamy flavors that brings regular macaroni and cheese to a whole new level of yum!


You can mix in any vegetables you like also, make is vegetarian and omit the meat or adapt this casserole to anything else you like.


When you made this creamy cheese sauce it compliments just about any ingredients you add to it!


The cheese sauce with pasta and chicken is a classic old favorite mom made in the 1960s.


A nice change and the kids love it and will ask for more than one helping.


Scroll down and print this off. You won't want to miss trying this one. It's one of the best cooler weather foods that will warm you up instantly.

One Casserole Meal

I love all one-pan meal recipes.


This casserole is so easy to put together and comfort food all the way.


I love the sauce its makes and with the pasta, it's a huge hit with the whole family.


It really reminds me of a chicken mac and cheese style casserole dish!

Creamy and Addicting Sauce

The sauce has a hint of garlic flavor and a delicious creamy texture that clings to the pasta with cheesy goodness.


This is really an addicting cheese sauce you will love with or without adding meats to it.


I have made this with just pasta in it or even with the addition of steam broccoli.


The cheese complements any vegetable you would put cheese on or any meat you want to substitute.

Ingredients You Will Need to Make Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole

for exact measurement keep scrolling to the recipe card below

• fresh cleaned garlic finely chopped
• butter
• Worcestershire sauce
• all-purpose flour
• whole milk, or evaporated milk or half and half
• boneless chicken breasts cut into small cubes sauteed in butter and garlic
• 1 pound any kind of pasta shapes cooked al dente and drained
• crushed Buttery flavored crackers (I used in this recipe)
• olive oil to drizzle on top
• shredded provolone cheese or any other shredded cheese
• shredded blended Italian cheese (Mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan, Romano, and Provolone are usually in there)( I like to add some to the top too)
• whipped cream cheese
• cayenne pepper, granulated garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: add or substitute fresh or frozen vegetables, steamed broccoli, mushrooms, cubed ham, pork or beef. You can also use all sharp shredded cheddar or any other cheeses you prefer

Easy From Scratch Recipe

This recipe is really easy to make, no soup is in it however you can substitute a can cheddar cheese soup if you're in a hurry or even mushroom soup


I love this homemade all-from-scratch recipe.


But in a pinch, you can substitute it.


I assure you, after you make it from scratch you will never use canned soup again!

Cracker Crumbs or Breadcrumbs?

I have used all kinds of crackers, regular saltines, buttery flavors, and even breadcrumbs for the top.


I like to drizzle a little melted butter on the top of whatever crumbs I use to crisp them up.


This casserole below in the photo was one I added mushrooms and chicken too, as I said you can add any additions your family loves!!

No Soup In Our Recipe!

Like I said before, this is a no soup recipe.


If you do choose to use soups, I would suggest a cheddar cheese soup or even a broccoli cheese soup.


You can use the tried and true 1960s style using the cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soups, I am not a fan of either.


This is where you can get creative.


You can add whatever you like frozen assorted vegetables, mushrooms, or even use a different meat.


Cubed ham, leftover steak, or pot roast, really anything goes great in this casserole dish.

Delicious Sauce

The creamy sauces blend well with the chicken.


I have even added steamed broccoli with this dish.


Substitute whatever your family loves, this recipe is a basic guideline.

Pasta Suggestions

1. baby shells
2. bowties
3. spirals
4. penne
5. ziti
6. elbows

In this recipe, I used a pasta that we like called campanelle. You can find this pasta in most of the supermarkets.

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Tips

• Don't overcook the pasta, leave al dente it finishes cooking in the oven
• Use more cheese on top if you're a cheese lover
• Only use whole milk
• The best cracker crumbs are butter-flavored to use
• Whole milk is preferred but you can substitute fat-free half and half
• Choose only cheeses that melt easily

Chicken Pasta Casserole

The kids love this pasta dish and it's perfect for leftovers the next day it still taste great!


If you have a mac and cheese fan in your home, this easy casserole will be a winner addition to your recipe collection.

chicken casserole, pasta casserole, macaroni and cheese, cheesy pasta

casserole, chicken, easy meals

American

Yield: 10Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Cheesy Chicken Pasta Casserole

prep time: 15 min cook time: 35 min total time: 50 mins

This is a delicious casserole made with sauteed chicken breast and pasta in a cheese sauce. It has a creamy homemade from scratch sauce that is perfect just on pasta plain or by adding meat or vegetables. The perfect basic recipe.

ingredients:

• 2 cloves of fresh cleaned garlic finely chopped
• 6 tablespoons butter ( 2 for sauteed chicken and the rest for the sauce)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk, evaporated milk, or half and half
• 2 boneless chicken breasts cut into small cubes sauteed in butter and garlic
• 1 pound of any kind of pasta shapes cooked al dente and drained
• 1 1/2 cups crushed Buttery flavored crackers (I used in this recipe)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil to drizzle on top
• 1 cup or more shredded provolone cheese or any other shredded cheese
• 2 cups shredded blended Italian cheese (Mozzarella, Asiago, Parmesan, Romano, and Provolone are usually in there)( I like to add some to the top too)
• 1/4 cup whipped cream cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon each of cayenne pepper, granulated garlic powder
• salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: add or substitute fresh or frozen vegetables, steamed broccoli, mushrooms, cubed ham, pork, or beef. You can also use all sharp shredded cheddar or any other cheeses you prefer.

instructions:

1. Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Prepare baking dish. Butter and oil spray the bottom of a shallow 13 x 9 baking dish.
3. Saute the chicken in 2 tablespoons butter or oil until pink is gone adding any additions suggested. Add the garlic halfway through cooking the chicken cubes. Add salt, pepper, granulated garlic to taste, Worcestershire sauce. Do not drain, the chicken will make a nice broth to use in this recipe.
4. In a clean pan, melt the butter then add the flour to make a roux and stir until smooth. Stir in the milk with all the cheeses, Keep stirring occasionally. Season to taste Remove from heat.
5. Cook pasta in another pan to package instructions to be al dente, drain.
6. Place pasta in a buttered or oil sprayed baking dish, pour the sauce over the top. Sprinkle with more shredded cheese and cracker crumbs.
7. Bake until topping is crisp and sauce is bubbling 20 to 30 minutes.

Calories
350

Fat (grams)
14

Sat. Fat (grams)
4

Carbs (grams)
19

Fiber (grams)
6

Net carbs
9

Sugar (grams)
11

Protein (grams)
13

Sodium (milligrams)
18

Created using The Recipes Generator

Chicken Pasta Casserole Pin for later

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Disclosure: This recipe was originally shared in 2019. It was edited and re-published in 2020.