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Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Cheesy Chicken Pasta with bacon is a delicious dinner that can be on the table in under an hour. A weeknight family favorite meal that is sure to have everyone running to the dinner table.

Make this easy pasta bake with leftover smoked chicken or turkey breast or pick up a rotisserie chicken from the deli. Serve it up with some easy garlic bread and a quick garden salad for a complete dinner.

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Cheesy Chicken Pasta in a bowl

Cheesy Chicken Pasta ~ Easy Pasta Casserole

This pasta bake has tons of flavor from the creamy, cheese sauce, herbs and smoky chicken plus crispy bacon. A hearty pasta casserole is always a comfort food classic dinner. A great addition for busy weeknights.

Ingredients Needed:

  • Pasta ~ Gemelli or Penne Pasta
  • Butter or Olive Oil
  • Onion
  • All Purpose Flour
  • Milk
  • Chicken Base
  • Granulated Garlic
  • Onion Powder
  • Dried Thyme
  • Kosher Salt
  • Black Pepper
  • Sour Cream
  • Mozzarella Cheese
  • Cooked Chicken Breasts or Turkey Breast
  • Cooked Bacon
  • Fresh Parsley

spoonful of pasta casserole with chicken and bacon

How to Make Cheesy Chicken Pasta:

  • Cook pasta in boiling water for about 5 – 6 minutes, not quite al dente, it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.

diced onions cooked in butter

  • Add butter to a large skillet and place over medium heat. Stir in diced onions, cooking until onions just start to brown around the edges, about 3- 5 minutes.

flour with onions and butter in a pan to make cheese sauce

  • Next, add in flour, stirring constantly, cooking about 2 minutes.

pan with milk and chicken base to make sauce for pasta

  • Pour in milk and chicken base, use a whisk to combine until sauce starts to thicken. Lower to simmer.

spices added to creamy sauce in a pan

  • Add garlic, onion powder, thyme, salt and pepper, whisk to combine.

adding shredded mozzarella to creamy sauce for pasta

  • Next, add sour cream and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, stir until cheese is melted.

cooked gemelli pasta in a pan with creamy sauce

  • Turn off the heat. Add cooked pasta and mix well.

diced bacon and chicken in a pan with pasta

  • Add diced chicken and 2/3 of the bacon. If you do not have an oven safe skillet, pour mixture into a baking dish.

chicken and bacon pasta casserole

  • Mix well.
  • Top with remaining cheese and remaining bacon.

casserole with chicken, bacon and pasta

  • Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until mixture is bubbly around the edges and cheese is melted.

pan with chicken pasta casserole with bacon

  • Garnish with chopped parsley.

How to Make Ahead:

This tasty meal can be made up to the point of adding to a casserole dish, covered and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance. Making this a great take and bake dish when you are lending a helping hand to new parents or someone who could use a home cooked meal.

How to Store and Reheat:

Store leftover cheesy pasta in an airtight container or covered baking dish in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

Reheat in microwave or in a skillet with a tablespoon or two of milk over medium heat, stirring often.

plate of chicken pasta casserole with a fork on a red check napkin

Serve this cheesy pasta for a quick meal perfect for any picky eater. It’s sure to become one of your favorite recipes to have on hand when you can decide what to cook for dinner.

More Delicious Pasta Recipes:

Baked Ham Penne Pasta is a tried and true favorite. Made with penne pasta, leftover ham and a creamy garlic sauce with lots of cheese. My family just can’t get enough of this delicious recipe.

Bacon White Cheddar Pasta is made with crispy bacon, a white cheddar cheese and cream cheese sauce and can be served as a main dish or side dish. Tons of cheesy goodness that will have everyone coming back for seconds.

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is a quick and easy recipe made in a skillet, no baking required. A creamy sauce with tender chicken, red bell pepper for delicious dish that everyone is sure to love.

Chicken Penne Pasta is another favorite that we like to make with leftover chicken. It’s a great 30 minute meal full of delicious Italian flavors.

chicken and bacon pasta casserole on a plate with fork

This Cheesy Chicken Pasta is an easy dinner recipe that is a great way to change up the same old meal routine. Filled with delicious flavors, juicy chicken and the best cheesy sauce, it’s sure to please.

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Cheesy Chicken Pasta with Bacon
Print Recipe
4.67 from 3 votes

Cheesy Chicken Pasta

Cheesy Chicken Pasta with bacon is a delicious dinner that can be on the table in under an hour.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: American
Keyword: leftover chicken recipe, leftover turkey recipe, pasta, pasta bake, pasta casserole, rotisserie chicken recipe
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 592kcal
Author: Milisa

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces gemelli or penne pasta
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 diced onion
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 2 teaspoons granulated garlic
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon chicken base
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese - divided
  • 3/4 pound chopped chicken or turkey cooked
  • 6 slices cooked bacon

Instructions

  • Cook pasta in boiling water for about 5 - 6 minutes, not quite al dente, it will finish cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside.
  • Add butter to a large skillet and place over medium heat. Stir in diced onions, cooking until onions just start to brown around the edges, about 3- 5 minutes.
  • Next, add in flour, stirring constantly, cooking about 2 minutes.
  • Pour in milk and chicken base, use a whisk to combine until sauce starts to thicken. Lower to simmer.
  • Add garlic, onion powder, thyme, salt and pepper, whisk to combine.
  • Next, add sour cream and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese, stir until cheese is melted.
  • Turn off the heat. Add cooked pasta and mix well.
  • Add diced chicken and 2/3 of the bacon. If you do not have an oven safe skillet, pour mixture into a baking dish.
  • Top with remaining cheese and remaining bacon.
  • Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until mixture is bubbly around the edges and cheese is melted.
  • Garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

Make Ahead:
Prepare to the point of adding to a casserole dish, covered and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance. Bake as directed.
Store and Reheat:
Store leftover cheesy pasta in an airtight container or covered baking dish in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Reheat in microwave or in a skillet with a tablespoon or two of milk over medium heat, stirring often.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 592kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 579mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g

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