Crazy Good Chicken Bacon Casserole (Printable)

Creamy, cheesy pasta loaded with chicken and bacon, topped with golden crumbs.

# What You Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Pasta

03 - 12 oz penne or rotini pasta

→ Dairy

04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1 cup sour cream
06 - 1 cup whole milk
07 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Vegetables

08 - 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
09 - 1 small onion, finely diced
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings

11 - 1 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme

→ Topping

15 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
16 - 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
17 - 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

# How To Cook:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of oil or butter, then sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add cooked chicken, crumbled bacon, thawed peas, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme to the skillet. Stir well and remove from heat.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together sour cream, softened cream cheese, whole milk, and 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese until smooth and creamy.
06 - Add the drained pasta and chicken-vegetable mixture to the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated and combined.
07 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly with a spatula, ensuring the surface is level.
08 - In a small bowl, combine panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, and remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Mix until breadcrumbs are evenly coated.
09 - Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole. Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly around edges and golden brown on top.
10 - Remove from oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the casserole to set for easier scooping.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The kind of dinner that makes people linger at the table long after the plates are empty
  • Works equally well for Tuesday night supper or feeding a crowd on game day
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next morning, straight from the fridge
02 -
  • Overcooking the pasta in the boiling water will make the final casserole mushy
  • The sauce will look thin before baking but thickens beautifully in the oven
  • Letting it rest those 5 minutes is crucial or it will run everywhere when you cut it
03 -
  • Crispy bacon is essential since it will soften in the oven
  • Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for better melting
  • Room temperature ingredients prevent any lumpy sauce situations

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