Mac and Cheese Chicken Pasta Casserole

Tuesday, January 14, 2020
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.




this is a baked macaroni and cheese with chicken pasta casserole






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!



this is a homemade cheese sauce all in one pan pasta and chicken dish. Baked all in one meal.




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


this is a cracker topped all in one meal casserole. this is a homemade cheese sauce all in one pan pasta and chicken dish. Baked all in one meal.


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!


This a hearty casserole dish with chicken, cheese and pasta all homemade.


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!!


the sauce with pasta and chicken to make mac and cheese casserole


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.


this is a homemade cheese sauce all in one pan pasta and chicken dish. Baked all in one meal.


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.


this is a casserole with mushrooms chicken and then the sauce is all melted cheese ready to add the pasta of choice to make this cheesy chicken pasta casserole


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.


macaroni and cheese with chicken casserole baking in a metal casserole pan in the oven


More Recipes We Love


Mom's Homemade Italian Sausage Recipe

Pasta and Broccoli Aioli

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Chicken Pasta Casserole Pin for later





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: 10
Mac and Cheese Chicken Pasta Casserole

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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macaroni and cheese with chicken casserole baking in a metal casserole pan in the oven


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

13 comments

  1. That creamy sauce and the golden crisp topping just have me DROOL terribly!

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  2. A dish best loved by my family and friends and this one is just so perfect.

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  3. this is seriously like the ultimate comfort food. i love the cheesy goodness of the chicken and pasta. i'd eat this stuff all day!!

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  4. Yum, I love cheesy pasta, sounds great.

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  5. You had me at cheesy! We love a chicken pasta bake - classic comfort food.

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  6. This is exactly my sort of comfort food, love it!

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  7. I can certainly see why this has been a family favorite for many years.

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  8. Congratulation! Your post is featured on Full Plate Thursday,468 this week. Thanks so much for sharing with us and hope you will come back to see us real soon!
    Miz Helen

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  9. Delicious chicken casserole! I make it hoping to have leftovers but that didn't happen!

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  10. I made this and it was phenomenal!!! I used leftover turkey instead of chicken. Everyone loved it! 😋

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  11. Sign me up for this dish every day all day!!

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  12. I love the presentation of this mac and cheese pasta. Looks absolutely delicious

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  13. Delicious pasta dish! Will certainly be making it again soon.

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