Description
Hearty chicken and bacon pasta casserole brings comfort straight from home kitchens, blending rich flavors into one irresistible dish. Creamy cheese and crispy bacon create a perfect harmony that beckons you to savor each satisfying bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 pound (454 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Pasta and Base Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (340 grams) uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli work well)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasoning and Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Boil pasta in generously salted water until it reaches a tender yet firm consistency, then drain thoroughly and set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Season chicken pieces with robust herbs and spices, then sear until golden brown and fully cooked through, ensuring no pink remains.
- Crisp bacon in the same skillet until it reaches a perfect crackly texture, then remove and roughly chop into rustic pieces.
- Reduce skillet heat and create a velvety roux by melting butter and whisking in flour until it forms a smooth, pale golden mixture.
- Gradually incorporate milk and cream, stirring continuously to develop a luxurious, silky sauce that coats the back of a spoon.
- Enhance the sauce with aromatic garlic powder, subtle onion powder, and a hint of paprika, then fold in sharp cheddar and nutty Parmesan until completely integrated.
- Gently combine the cooked pasta, chicken, and most of the bacon pieces into the creamy sauce, ensuring every morsel is lavishly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly and sprinkling the remaining bacon fragments across the top for added crunch.
- Roast in a preheated oven at 375F (190C) until the surface turns golden and the edges bubble with appetizing intensity.
- Allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve piping hot.
Notes
- Customize pasta thickness by choosing different shapes like penne, rotini, or shells for varied textures and sauce absorption.
- Create a gluten-free version by substituting all-purpose flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend when making the creamy sauce.
- Reduce sodium content by using low-sodium cheese and limiting additional salt during chicken seasoning.
- Enhance meal prep by preparing chicken and bacon ahead of time, reducing overall cooking time and making weeknight dinners easier.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 780
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 42 g
- Saturated Fat: 21 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg