Chicken With Pasta Casserole

Chicken Pasta Casserole is a creamy pasta dish with lots of cheese. This casserole is made from cream, onion, and garlic. The cream sauce is made from canned tomato soup and a little sour cream so it has great flavor, then topped on top of the chicken breasts for a creamy casserole. If you’re looking for something to make your family go nuts over this one’s for you!

Chicken, pasta, cheese, and cream. There I ask for more?

A few years ago, scientists actually researched why we like crusts so much. They called it the ‘Reaction de Maillard’ and it’s what happens when protein hits a certain temperature and becomes that delicious brown crust. They studied how humans actually enjoy and crave this reaction so much. That is the reason why we love to eat fries and steaks, and of course gratins. Interesting right?

Well, this recipe certainly appeals to all of that. It is a creamy, cheesy, flavorful chicken and pasta casserole with a cheese crust that will have you going back for more.

This chicken with pasta casserole can be served both as a main dish accompanied by some salad or as a side dish with a protein dish (think mac and cheese).

Moreover, it is an easy recipe that can be prepped in just 20 minutes. If you have guests tonight just prep it beforehand and wait until nighttime to stick it in the oven. Allow your guests to enjoy that delicious gratin smell while it browns.

This chicken casserole with pasta is wholesome and flavorful, ideal for fuzzy kids. It makes for an ideal family recipe to prep in advance and bake just before serving.

Yields/Serves 3-4 servings | Prep Time 20 minutes | Cooking Time 25 minutes | Total Time 45 minutes.

This chicken pasta casserole recipe is perfect for a family dinner or potluck. It feeds a crowd and can be easily doubled or tripled for larger groups. The best part? It only takes 30 minutes to make!

Here is the list of ingredients for this amazing chicken casserole with pasta

2 cups shredded chicken breast

4 cups (about 300g) of pasta (penne, rigatoni, use your favorite short pasta)

3 tbsp butter

1 diced small onion

2 minced garlic cloves

2 tbsp all-purpose flour

½ cup sour cream

1 cup milk (I used whole)

3 cups grated cheese (cheddar, Colby jack, swiss, or a combination), I used a combination of Emmental (great for melting) and cheddar (great flavor)

½ tsp red pepper flakes

Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Chicken Pasta Casserole?

STEP 1: Cook and shred the chicken if you haven’t done so already. In a medium/large pot, boil some water and add the chicken breast. Allow the chicken to cook thoroughly (around 20 minutes depending on the amount and size of the chicken breast). Strain and allow to cool down. Once chilled, shred with a fork or with your fingers. Note: you can use leftover chicken for this recipe if you have any or you can roast the chicken and then shred it if you prefer to add some color.

STEP 2: Once the chicken is cooked and shredded, start by boiling some water to cook the pasta. Add some olive oil and salt. Once boiling adds the pasta and cooks per instructions in the package.

STEP 3: Once pasta is thoroughly cooked, strain and cool down with cold water. Leave the pasta in the same pot covered in cold water. This will stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking to each other while we prepare the sauce and chicken.

STEP 4: Preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF and grease a casserole tray with olive oil. Set aside.

STEP 5: In a large pot, over medium/high heat, sauté the onion and garlic in the butter (you might want to add just a splash of olive oil to prevent the butter from browning). Cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.

STEP 6: Add flour and stir, cook for an additional minute.

STEP 7: Add the milk bit by bit and whisk vigorously to prevent any lumps. Add the sour cream and continue to whisk until thick.

STEP 8: Add the cheese or cheeses and stir until they start to melt. You might want to save some cheese to coat the top of the casserole and to have that beautiful gratin finish.

STEP 9: Lastly, add the chicken, pasta, red pepper flakes, and salt if needed. Toss around and coat the pasta and chicken evenly.

STEP 10: Transfer the pasta onto the casserole dish and top with a coat of the leftover cheeses. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese starts browning and bubbling.

STEP 11: Allow cooling for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

If you’re looking for an easy, tasty, and kid-friendly pasta dish, this chicken pasta casserole is the perfect recipe for you. It’s packed with flavor, and it can be made ahead of time, which makes it great for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. Give this recipe a try the next time you need a quick and delicious meal!

Check out the printable recipe below and let me know what you think about chicken and pasta casserole (comments below).

To receive our daily recipes you can follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

Creamy Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe

Bity

This creamy chicken pasta casserole recipe is a family favorite that has been passed down through generations. It’s one of my favorite recipes to make when I have time and am craving comfort food.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 1045 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 cups shredded chicken breast
• 4 cups about 300g of pasta (penne, rigatoni, use your favorite short pasta)
• 3 tbsp butter
• 1 diced small onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 cup milk I used whole
• 3 cups grated cheese cheddar, Colby jack, swiss, or a combination, I used a combination of Emmental (great for melting) and cheddar (great flavor)
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

• STEP 1: Cook and shred the chicken if you haven’t done so already. In a medium/large pot, boil some water and add the chicken breast. Allow the chicken to cook thoroughly (around 20 minutes depending on the amount and size of the chicken breast). Strain and allow to cool down. Once chilled, shred with a fork or with your fingers. Note: you can use leftover chicken for this recipe if you have any or you can roast the chicken and then shred it if you prefer to add some color.
• STEP 2: Once the chicken is cooked and shredded, start by boiling some water to cook the pasta. Add some olive oil and salt. Once boiling adds the pasta and cooks per instructions in the package.
• STEP 3: Once pasta is thoroughly cooked, strain and cool down with cold water. Leave the pasta in the same pot covered in cold water. This will stop the cooking process and prevent them from sticking to each other while we prepare the sauce and chicken.
• STEP 4: Preheat your oven to 180ºC/350ºF and grease a casserole tray with olive oil. Set aside.
• STEP 5: In a large pot, over medium/high heat, sauté the onion and garlic in the butter (you might want to add just a splash of olive oil to prevent the butter from browning). Cook until tender, about 3-4 minutes.
• STEP 6: Add flour and stir, cook for an additional minute.
• STEP 7: Add the milk bit by bit and whisk vigorously to prevent any lumps. Add the sour cream and continue to whisk until thick.
• STEP 8: Add the cheese or cheeses and stir until they start to melt. You might want to save some cheese to coat the top of the casserole and to have that beautiful gratin finish.
• STEP 9: Lastly, add the chicken, pasta, red pepper flakes, and salt if needed. Toss around and coat the pasta and chicken evenly.
• STEP 10: Transfer the pasta onto the casserole dish and top with a coat of the leftover cheeses. Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until the cheese starts browning and bubbling.
• STEP 11: Allow cooling for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

This casserole is delicious as is, but there are a few variations you could try to change things up. For instance, you could swap out the chicken for another protein, like shrimp or beef. You could also use a different type of pasta, like rigatoni or shells. And if you're looking for a little more veggies, you could add in some chopped spinach or broccoli. So many possibilities!

Nutrition

Calories: 1045kcalCarbohydrates: 103gProtein: 58gFat: 44gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 165mgSodium: 1477mgPotassium: 730mgFiber: 5gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 1293IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 814mgIron: 3mg

Keyword chicken and pasta casserole, chicken casserole with pasta, chicken with pasta casserole

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Remember it later? You Like This Creamy chicken casserole! Pin it to your favorite board NOW!

CHECK OUT THESE AWESOME, EASY RECIPES:

• 25 Best Recipes Using Beef Stew Meat
• Banana muffin Recipe
• Cream cheese sausage balls