Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Name: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 10 cups
Ingredients: 1 package (16 ounces) uncooked spiral pasta; 1-1/2 cups 2% milk; 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing; 1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed; 2 cups cubed cooked chicken; 8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 2 cups shredded Colby cheese, divided; Sliced green onions, optional

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Cook: 15 min.

Yield 10 cups

Test Kitchen Approved

Chicken bacon ranch casserole, made with comforting ingredients like creamy pasta, savory bacon and ranch seasoning, is a slam dunk for your next dinner.

Ingredients

1 package (16 ounces) uncooked spiral pasta
1-1/2 cups 2% milk
1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
1 envelope ranch salad dressing mix
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
8 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
2 cups shredded Colby cheese, divided
Sliced green onions, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
In the same pan, combine milk, ranch salad dressing and salad dressing mix until smooth. Stir in cream cheese. Cook and stir over medium heat until cream cheese is melted; pour over pasta. Stir in chicken, bacon and 1 cup Colby cheese. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with remaining 1 cup Colby cheese. Bake, uncovered, until heated through and cheese is melted, 15-20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with green onion.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 495 calories, 26g fat (12g saturated fat), 80mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 1g fiber), 24g protein.

This chicken bacon ranch casserole is a dinner that both of my wonderful (but picky!) children will eat. I can easily make it ahead and then bake it right before serving. Sometimes I add 2 cups of cooked veggies, like peas or chopped broccoli, for a complete meal. —Rebekah Schultz, Mantua, New Jersey

Recipe Creator