Crazy Good Chicken Bacon Casserole (Printable Version)
Creamy, cheesy baked pasta with chicken, bacon, and golden breadcrumb topping
# What You’ll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
→ Pasta
03 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta
→ Dairy
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup sour cream
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened
→ Vegetables
08 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
09 - 1 small onion, finely diced
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Seasonings
11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
→ Topping
15 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of oil or butter, then sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Stir in cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, thawed peas, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Remove from heat.
05 - In a large bowl, whisk together sour cream, softened cream cheese, whole milk, and 2 cups shredded cheddar until smooth and creamy.
06 - Add drained pasta and chicken mixture to the cheese sauce. Stir thoroughly until all components are evenly coated.
07 - Pour mixture into prepared baking dish. Spread evenly with a spatula, ensuring surface is level.
08 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
09 - Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture evenly over casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese is bubbling and topping is golden brown.
10 - Remove from oven and let casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to set.
# Top Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in one dish with minimal prep work
- The combination of creamy sauce, crispy bacon, and melted cheese feels like a warm hug
02 -
- Overbaking will dry out the creamy sauce, so pull it when you see those gorgeous golden edges
- The sauce might look thin going into the oven but it thickens beautifully as it bakes
03 -
- Room temperature ingredients blend much more smoothly into the sauce
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded for the creamiest results