Description
A comforting and cheesy spaghetti chicken casserole that combines tender shredded chicken, creamy mushroom soup, and melted cheddar cheese for a hearty family meal. This baked casserole offers a delicious one-dish dinner perfect for busy weeknights or cozy weekends.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8-12 ounces spaghetti, uncooked
Chicken Mixture
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 red or green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 1-2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook the spaghetti noodles according to the package directions until they reach al dente or your preferred tenderness. Drain the noodles well in a colander but do not rinse them, to retain starch for better binding.
- Combine the chicken mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded cooked chicken, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, sour cream, grated parmesan cheese, finely diced bell pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well mixed.
- Fold in the pasta: Gently fold the drained spaghetti noodles into the chicken mixture, ensuring an even distribution without breaking the noodles.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole for a cheesy crust.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown and melted perfectly.
- Cool and serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving to let it set, making it easier to portion and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute cream of mushroom soup with cream of chicken soup if preferred.
- For extra flavor, add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or thyme to the chicken mixture.
- Adjust the cheese quantity to your taste, using more or less shredded cheddar as desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Cook the pasta slightly less than al dente if you prefer it softer after baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
