Ready for some cheesy chicken pasta casserole recipes that’ll knock your socks off? We’ve mixed up chicken, pasta, and cheese into some awesome bakes that are easy to whip up. Perfect for busy nights or chilling with friends, these recipes are about to become your go-to comfort food.
Serve them up with some Homemade Focaccia Bread, Easy Knotted Dinner Rolls and a side salad like this Green Greek Salad.
Tips For Making Casseroles With Cheese
Cooking casseroles with cheese can transform them into delicious, comforting meals. Here are some tips to ensure your cheesy casseroles turn out perfectly:
- Choose the Right Cheese: Different cheeses melt differently. For creamy casseroles, use good melting cheeses like cheddar, mozzarella, or Gruyère. Hard cheeses like Parmesan are great for topping due to their crispy finish when baked.
- Add Cheese at the Right Time: To prevent burning, add softer cheeses towards the end of the baking time if you want them gooey. Hard cheeses used for topping can be added earlier to develop a nice crust.
- Prevent Oiliness: To avoid oiliness, especially with high-fat cheeses, mix the cheese into the casserole or layer it within rather than just on top. This helps distribute the fat more evenly.
- Grate Your Own Cheese: Pre-grated cheeses often contain anti-caking agents that can affect melting. Grating your own cheese ensures a smoother melt.
- Layering: For layered casseroles, sprinkle cheese between layers as well as on top for even flavor and texture.
- Use a Mix of Cheeses: Combining cheeses can add depth of flavor. A mix of a flavorful cheese with a good melting cheese can offer the best of both worlds.
- Temperature Matters: Bake casseroles at the right temperature. Too high and the cheese might oil off or burn; too low and it might not melt properly. 350°F to 375°F is generally safe.
These tips will help you create mouth-watering, cheesy casseroles that are sure to be a hit at any meal.
Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipes
This collection of casserole recipes includes some with a tomato based sauce and some with a cream based sauce. Most are made from scratch and some have some ingredients to make them come together quickly. Enjoy the list by starting with the Chicken Parmesan Casserole with Penne Pasta and work your way through! And if you want something quick, try this Cheesy Taco Pasta with ground chicken.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole Baked with Penne Pasta
Learn how to make a chicken parmesan pasta casserole bake from scratch. Make your own breaded chicken parmesan chicken then bake with pasta, marinara and cheese to perfection. This cheesy chicken casserole with penne pasta is a whole meal.
Serve with a crusty bread or homemade Knotted Dinner Rolls. Or even a fresh Focaccia Bread.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Parmesan Casserole Baked with Penne Pasta
White Chicken Lasagna
Layer this White Chicken Lasagna with creamy spinach sauce and bake until golden brown. Use regular lasagna noodles for easy assembly. Mix leftover rotisserie chicken broth, baby spinach, ricotta cheese, and sour cream and herbs and spices for the filling.
Top with mozzarella and Parmesan cheese, delighting the whole family. This recipe turns store-bought rotisserie chicken into a delicious make-ahead meal. Serve with a yummy Green Greek Salad.
Click For Recipe: White Chicken Lasagna
Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Chicken alfredo stuffed shells are rich, cheesy, and perfect for the whole family. Easily assemble in a casserole dish and bake later. Use leftover chicken, fresh spinach, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese for this incredible dish. Make the Alfredo sauce with whole milk, heavy cream, butter, flour and spices. It’s rich and creamy without using canned soup. Serve with 15 Minute Cheesy Garlic Rolls With Bacon.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Alfredo Stuffed Shells
Chicken Tetrazzini
Chicken Tetrazzini is a delicious creamy chicken pasta casserole. combines mushrooms, sherry, and shallots in a homemade cream sauce with cooked chicken and cooked pasta. Bake in a baking dish for an easy dinner.
It’s a great way to use leftovers, creating a comforting meal. Top the casserole with Parmesan cheese and bread crumbs for a crunchy crust, making family meals special. This comfort food soothes the soul after a long day.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Tetrazzini
Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
This is a very American style among chicken pasta casserole recipes. Chicken spaghetti with rotel makes a quick, satisfying dinner. The cream of mushroom soup and cream of chicken soup create a creamy sauce. Mix in shredded chicken and spaghetti, then top with shredded cheddar cheese.
Rotel diced tomatoes add a perfect kick. It’s an easy, weeknight meal and beginner-friendly. Use leftover chicken for a budget-friendly option. Tastes even better the next day; leftovers last up to 5 days.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel
Healthy Chicken Pasta Bake
Whole wheat pasta, chicken, and lots of broccoli come together in a simple creamy sauce made with cashew butter. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s ideal for busy weeknights. Add vegan or regular cheese to top of the casserole for a customizable dish. This cheesy pasta bake is comforting and delicious. Perfect for the dinner table, it’s a quick, weeknight winner.
Click For Recipe: Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
Ranch Chicken and Bacon Pasta Bake
Comfort food means a belly-filling, oven-warm bacon pasta bake with melted cheese. To elevate it, I add versatile chicken and crispy bacon. This chicken mixture in a homemade cream sauce makes the dish irresistible. Perfect for dinner tonight, it’s cooked al dente and layered with flavors! Serve this creamy chicken casserole with some steamed broccoli or roasted veggies.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake
Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
This is a gem among chicken pasta casserole recipes! This chicken cordon bleu casserole turns into a creamy pasta bake with all the classic flavors. Use 1 pound pasta noodles, any shape, for versatility. Make sauce with butter, all-purpose flour, white wine, milk, Swiss cheese, salt, and black pepper for richness. Toss pasta in this sauce with ham and chicken for a hearty meal. It’s a simple recipe that’s easy and delicious. Top it with a breadcrumb mixture for crunch. Perfect for any dinner occasion.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
Chicken Alfredo and Vegetable Lasagna
This chicken lasagna, a favorite comfort food, layers tender chicken, veggies, and lasagna noodles in a sauce rich. Pair it with a Greek salad and focaccia bread for a year-round comfort meal. The sauce’s secret? Cream cheese for creaminess. Simple, weeknight dinners like this chicken alfredo lasagna change the game. It reheats well, providing multiple meals. Add cottage cheese for extra creaminess and protein. This recipe is a must-try for an easy, comforting dinner.
Click For Recipe: Cheesy Chicken Lasagna
Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole
Whip up this easy chicken noodle casserole without any canned soup! With a bit more time, you can create a delicious chicken pasta casserole recipe. Start by sautéing vegetables and boiling noodles. Then, mix flour, butter, and milk to make a creamy béchamel sauce; add cheese for smoothness. Pour this velvety sauce over your ingredients, top with crackers, and bake to perfection. This updated retro classic is full of flavor and loved by all ages. It’s the ideal comfort food for a family Sunday supper.
Click For Recipe: Chicken Noodle Casserole
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese takes everyone’s favorite dish up a notch with a special cheese blend, chicken, and buffalo sauce. It’s an easy recipe loved by both adults and kids, topped with a buttery breadcrumb topping. The star? A bold cheese sauce made with quality sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese for a creamy kick. These cheeses are not only bold in flavor but also naturally aged and delicious. Use ready-made rotisserie chicken for convenience or substitute with leftover chicken or smoked sausage. While elbow macaroni is standard, penne or rotini also work well, holding onto the homemade buffalo cheese sauce beautifully.
Click For Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake
More Dinner Recipes with Noodles
Spicy Chicken Pasta Bake
Chicken taco spaghetti is a hit, blending Mexican chicken spaghetti flavors everyone loves. It’s a creamy, cheesy chicken pasta casserole recipe with a twist. Enjoy Italian and Mexican cuisine in one easy dish. Call it taco spaghetti casserole or Mexican chicken spaghetti. It’s comfort food with zesty taco excitement. This mash-up marries spaghetti’s comfort with taco seasoning’s boldness. A simple meal featuring pasta, chicken, and a spicy taco pasta sauce.
Click For Recipe: Mexican Chicken Taco Pasta
Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
This Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake packs flavor with seasoned chicken, broccoli, and pasta in a creamy sauce, then oven-baked. Ideal for cozy dinners, parties, and potlucks, it’s ready in an hour. We adore pasta! This chicken pasta casserole recipe is easy, tasty, and satisfying for both busy nights and relaxed weekends. It balances protein, carbs, and veggies for a fulfilling meal. Adults and kids alike will love this dish.
Click For Recipe: Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For casseroles, it’s best to either bake, boil, or sauté chicken until it’s fully cooked. You want it tender enough to shred or cut into bite-sized pieces easily. Cooking time varies, but a general guideline is to bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes, boil in broth for 20 minutes, or sauté until no longer pink in the middle. You can also cook your chicken in a crockpot or electric pressure cooker. Or even buy a rotisserie chicken and use the cooked chicken.
To avoid mushy pasta, undercook it by 2-3 minutes less than the package’s al dente recommendation before adding it to the casserole. It will continue to cook in the oven, absorbing the casserole’s moisture without becoming overcooked.
Yes, you can assemble the casserole, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it up to 24 hours before baking. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it’s cold from the fridge. Alternatively, you can freeze it for longer storage, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Absolutely! This is a great way to not only use leftover chicken but also leftover pasta or spaghetti. Most of these recipes call for cooked noodles so they’re perfect for leftovers that are not already mixed with a sauce.