Enjoy a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful chicken bacon ranch casserole dish with pasta. You will love this comforting weeknight meal idea.
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Have you been looking for a delicious last-minute dinner idea? Give this chicken casserole with ranch seasoning a try.
This savory dish is sure to become a mainstay in your weekly meal rotation, with its simple and flavorful ingredients. Not only is it quick and easy to make, but it's also an excellent choice for those on a budget.
This creamy and savory casserole is perfect for any occasion. The combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch creates an irresistible flavor that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy.
Ingredients
This flavorful dish requires only a few simple ingredients. It's also a tasty way to use up any leftover chicken.
Here are the ingredients used to make this recipe:
- pasta
- sour cream
- buttermilk
- garlic
- dried parsley
- dried dill
- dried chives
- salt and pepper
- mozzarella cheese
- Alfredo sauce
- cooked bacon
- cooked skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs
Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat the oven and lightly grease a mini baking dish to start making the chicken bacon ranch casserole recipe.
Add sour cream, garlic, parsley, dill, black pepper, Alfredo sauce, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese in a medium-sized bowl.
Toss to combine the ingredients into a creamy sauce.
Add the cooked chicken pieces and pasta to the mixing bowl.
Mix gently to coat the chicken and pasta with the sauce.
Pour the mixture into the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese and crumbled bacon pieces over the top.
Bake in the preheated oven until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese is melted and browned.
Variations
This chicken bacon ranch casserole has numerous ways to add flavor and make it different from the original recipe.
- Substitute turkey for the chicken to add a unique taste while keeping the dish healthy.
- Switch out the type of cheese used in the recipe. Instead of cheddar, try using pepper jack or gouda for more depth in flavor.
- Swap out the traditional pasta with zucchini noodles or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that won't sacrifice taste.
- Throw in caramelized onions or roasted garlic to enhance both texture and flavor.
- Use a pre-made dry ranch seasoning mix instead of your own homemade ranch seasoning blend for the ranch flavor.
- Try using cream cheese in place of sour cream.
- Add vegetables like chopped broccoli florets.
- Top your chicken bacon ranch casserole with shredded cheddar cheese before putting it in the oven. The melted cheese on top will create a gooey layer of deliciousness.
- Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes directly into the casserole before baking it. This will give it an added depth of heat that pairs perfectly with the cool and creamy ranch dressing.
- Swap out the store-bought sauce for a homemade Alfredo sauce.
These are just a few variations of this classic recipe. Get creative and experiment with your own ideas.
Tips
- Cook the pasta al dente so it doesn't turn mushy in the oven.
- Make sure the chicken has been seasoned with salt and pepper.
- Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Serving suggestions
For those looking to add an extra dimension of flavor to their chicken bacon ranch casserole, many serving suggestions can help elevate this classic dish. One option is to top the casserole with a generous helping of crispy breadcrumbs or panko crumbs, creating a satisfying crunch and texture contrast.
Another suggestion is to serve the casserole with a side salad dressed in a tangy vinaigrette, which will help cut through the richness of the chicken and bacon. Or try pairing it with a chopped Greek salad or broccoli salad.
Storage
To store it, the best option is to put it in an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. The casserole can be stored for up to four days. It's important to make sure that you cover the container tightly so that no air can get in and spoil the food.
If you have leftovers, you can freeze the casserole for up to three months. To do this, transfer the dish into a freezer-safe container or wrap it tightly with foil or plastic wrap before putting it in the freezer. When you're ready to eat it again, thaw the casserole overnight in your refrigerator and reheat it until warmed before serving.
FAQ
Yes, a chicken bacon ranch casserole with pasta can be made ahead of time. This is a great dish to make in advance because the flavors will have time to meld together, and it will be even tastier when served.
You can reduce the amount of pasta and add in some chopped vegetables like broccoli and tomatoes.
Yes, potatoes can be used instead of pasta in a chicken bacon ranch casserole. Potatoes are a great substitute for pasta because they are more nutrient-dense and have a mild flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients in the casserole. You should partially cook them before adding then bake until they are fork tender.
Related Recipes
Want a few more tasty chicken dishes? Give one of these a try too.
- Chicken pot pie casserole is warm and cozy any day of the week.
- Grilled BBQ boneless chicken is perfect for summer grilling.
- Creamy chicken curry is a quick and easy dish for busy nights.
- Air fryer wings from frozen are much healthier than fried ones.
- Panko chicken is an easy-to-make baked meal entree.
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Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
- 6 oz penne pasta cooked
- ½ cup sour cream
- ⅓ cup buttermilk
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1 teaspoon dried chives
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese divided
- 7 oz Alfredo sauce see note
- 2 bacon slices cooked and chopped
- 1 cup rotisserie chicken boneless, skinless, chopped
- Chopped parsley for topping, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a mini baking dish.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine sour cream, buttermilk, garlic, parsley, dill, black pepper, Alfredo sauce, and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese. Toss to combine.
- Add the chicken pieces and penne to the creamy mixture and mix gently to coat, then pour the mixture into the baking dish.
- Evenly sprinkle the remaining cheese and bacon pieces over the top. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, or until the mixture is bubbly and the cheese is melted and browned.
- Once it's done, sprinkle the top with parsley and serve.
Darcey
The entire family LOVED this one!! There was no leftovers.
Lindsey
I brought this to a neighbor's this past weekend and it was the talk of the party! This casserole was creamy, flavorful and decadent! I am not sure I'll be allowed to go anywhere without it 😉
Addison
This casserole was so hearty and savory! My family gobbled it right up.
Giangi Townsend
I needed a new recipe to bring to a party last weekend and that is when i find this delicious recipe of chicken and bacon ranch casserole. Amazingly easy to prepare and so delicious. I made a large platter and it was all gone.
I know what I will bring from now on to parties. Thank you for the recipe.
Sharina
Brought this casserole recipe to out potluck and everyone was amazed! They were surprised with the vegetables I added such as the broccoli. They even asked for the recipe, so I gladly sent the link of this recipe!
Evelyn
What happened to buttermilk in this recipe? It's mentioned in the ingredients but not instructions.
Lisa MarcAurele
Thanks for catching that. It's added to the sour cream.
kumiko mccabe
Thank you .I was wondering the too. also like to find out where is ranch dressing.
Lisa MarcAurele
If you prefer a Ranch dressing, use it instead of the sour cream, buttermilk, and seasonings.
Bev
After one serving each, which neither of us finished, it all went down the garbage disposal. I'm blaming the alfredo sauce, which overwhelmed the taste of the other ingredients. Everything else was delicious, so before tossing it all down the garbage disposal, I picked out the chicken and rinsed it off; we had it the next night in a tossed green salad. Although I used to enjoy linguine alfredo, I don't think we will ever partake of it again. Oh, and I'm glad the buttermilk was omitted in the instructions because I wouldn't have added it, certainly not with the alfredo sauce!
Lisa MarcAurele
Thanks for the feedback. I've updated the recipe with a note on the sauce and will test it again with a homemade white sauce to make sure the seasoning is right.
catherine yvonne sherman
I made this last night and it was a huge success. My husband is hard to cook for but he loved this. I will make it again.
kumiko mccabe
love to make this meal but what I like to know is butter milk .This is power ?
Lisa MarcAurele
It's just fermented milk which you can substitute with a little vinegar in regular milk.
Joyce Unsell
Can you use ranch dressing instead of alfredo as my family is. not fond of it? One time they added ranch to this dish with the alfredo and liked it better.
Lisa MarcAurele
Yes. Ranch is a great alternative if you don't like Alfredo. You can also use cream cheese and leave out the buttermilk. The recipe is very flexible depending on your own preferences.