Chicken spaghetti casserole comprises super tender bits of chicken, vibrant vegetables, and spaghetti that is cooked al dente, all covered in mushroom-laden cream, with melted cheddar cheese to finish. It’s pure comfort food. Best enjoyed on lazy weeknights or at family get-togethers. Every gooey yet warm bite from this little casserole makes it a must-come-to recipe to share with all.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
In the good kind of cheesy-with-a-creamy-texture way, this dish is a real treat for families, with lots of grown-ups and little ones digging in as Pavlov’s guinea pigs. And if there are any leftovers of a day-old dinner, how about besides pasta, you make one big extra to throw those chickens or veggies into?
An Easy Prepare At Home: Great first-time cooks; assemble or simmer, skillet, or serve it!
Essentially, everyone can brave making this simple meal when the stars of the busy nights align. Furthermore, nobody could have anticipated the frozen delight.
Have It Your Way: Customize this bad boy to any of our toggling preferences—diet, nutrition, allergies, you name it.
Key Ingredients
Cooked Chicken Breast: The center of this dinner is held by this major role that includes protein and flavor.
Spaghetti Noodles: Short enough to mix well and serve.
Celery: A crisp, fresh, and spicy taste to complement the creamy sauce.
Red Pepper: A delectable surprise in this recipe to add a slight hint of sweetness while a sparkle of a crunchy texture that provides color contrast.
Onion: It spices up the casserole and promotes the irresistible flavors.
Chicken Broth: Its low-sodium variants that heat it up and allow it to remain flavorful and hot.
Cream of Mushroom Soup: This is the creamy glue that holds everything together.
Cheddar Cheese: It’s most everyone’s favorite tablespoon addition to their golden, gooey casseroles.
Salt and Pepper: No spice comes close to the simplicity of these two and being able to enhance a dish-years and years without overpowering it.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
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Instructions
Preparation
Preheat the Oven:
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking.
Cook the Spaghetti:
Boil the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente (firm to the bite but cooked). Drain and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken:
If not already chopped, cut the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Using leftover chicken saves time and adds flavor.
Combine Ingredients
Mix the Main Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine:
Cooked spaghetti noodles
Chopped chicken
Diced celery
Diced red bell pepper
Chopped onion
Mix thoroughly to distribute the ingredients evenly.
Prepare the Sauce
Whisk the Sauce:
In a medium bowl, whisk together:
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
Chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Mix until smooth. This forms the creamy base for your casserole.
Assemble the Casserole
Divide the Mixture:
Lightly coat two 8-inch square or 2-quart baking dishes with cooking spray. Divide the chicken and spaghetti mixture evenly between the dishes.
Add the Sauce:
Pour the prepared sauce evenly over both casseroles. Toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
Bake
Add the Cheese:
Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over each casserole. The cheese will melt into a gooey, golden topping during baking.
Cover and Bake:
Cover each casserole dish with foil (spray the foil with cooking spray to prevent sticking).
Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 35 minutes.
Final Bake:
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
Serve
Cool and Serve:
Let the casseroles cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps the flavors settle and makes it easier to portion.
Enjoy:
Serve warm and savor this comforting, cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole. Perfect for family dinners or as a make-ahead dish!
Serving Suggestions
The Chicken Spaghetti Casserole already has all the qualities that you can need for a meal, but you can surely make it complete with these suggestions:
Side Salad: For a fresh green element to keep the casserole balanced, serve with a vinaigrette and your favorite raw mix-yum!
Garlic Bread: Garlic bread hot from the oven melts perfection, with every speck of its bread covered in the creamy sauce.
Steamed Vegetables: Simple steamed broccoli, a bunch of greenbeans, or green asparagus would bring great balance to this dish with added nutrition.
Iced Tea or Lemonade: Chilled beverages best complement this meal.
Storage and Meal Prep Tips
Refrigeration: Store this casserole leftover inside an airtight container, for up to 4 days. Require dish to be reheated in microwave or individual portions in the oven directly.
Freezing: Wait a look, this casserole freezes rather well too! Wraps it before freezing tight in polythene or foil and then freezes for 3 months. To reheat, defrost the overnight portion in the frigo. Then warm it up.
Best if Made Ahead: Making this dish ahead of time is always awesome. Consequently, this serving can be completed upto proper refrigerated carry-over for 24 hours in the baking time.
Batch Cooking: Double batch of the recipe in order to be able to enjoy one casserole now and, later, another one.
Variations
Protein Swap: Chicken breast meat can be replaced with rotisserie chicken, turkey, or cooked ground beef.
Veggie Boost: Adding mushrooms, spinach, or frozen peas helps to pack the meal with that many more veggies.
Spicy Twist: Feel free to throw in some canned green chilies or red pepper flakes for extra heat.
Gluten-Free Option: Gluten-free pasta noodle choice along with gluten-free broth and soup can be achieved.
Cheese Lover’s Dream: A variety of cheese such as mozzarella, Parmesan, and even Monterey Jack added to make the dish creamy.
Conclusion
This Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is a genuine kitchen hero: simple, versatile, and delicious. Making it for your family, prepping it for the week, or taking it to an event will all mean being successful. Comfort food at its best with rich, creamy sauce, made from moist types of chicken and soft cheese. So, gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and eat something that will soon become a household favorite meal.
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped cooked chicken breast
- 2 cups uncooked spaghetti noodles broken into 2-inch pieces (about 7 ounces)
- 1 cup celery (1/4-inch-thick slices)
- 1 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup onion chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth fat-free, less sodium
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper freshly ground
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup 30% reduced-sodium, 98% fat-free (10.75-ounce cans)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded, divided
- cooking spray for greasing
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the spaghetti until al dente, drain, and set aside. Chop the chicken breast into bite-sized pieces if not already prepared.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, chicken, celery, red bell pepper, and onion. Mix to distribute evenly.
- Whisk together 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl until smooth.
- Lightly coat two 8-inch square or 2-quart baking dishes with cooking spray. Divide the chicken and spaghetti mixture between the dishes. Pour the prepared sauce evenly over both casseroles and toss gently to coat.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded cheddar cheese over each casserole. Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casseroles cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy!
