Cheesy Baked Chicken Casserole
A comforting and creamy casserole featuring tender chicken, pasta, and layers of melty cheese, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz uncooked cavatappi pasta
- 1.5 lb skinless boneless chicken breasts, cut into small bite-size pieces
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.75 tsp black pepper
- 22.6 oz family-size can cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 0.5 cup sour cream
- 12 oz Colby Jack cheese, shredded and divided
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
For Cooking
- Cooking spray For greasing the baking dish
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook the cavatappi pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
- Stir in the chicken pieces, salt, and black pepper. Cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden and mostly cooked through.
- Add the minced garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 8 oz of the Colby Jack cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken mixture to the bowl. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it in an even layer.
- Top with the remaining 4 oz of Colby Jack cheese.
Baking
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and beautifully melty on top.
- Let rest for a few minutes, then sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk if your mixture feels too thick before baking. Want a little kick? Add a pinch of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes before baking. This casserole reheats beautifully, making it great for meal prep. Add steamed broccoli or spinach directly into the mixture for an easy veggie boost.