Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 6 bacon, strips, chopped
- 1 onion, small, diced
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 cream cheese, brick, softened and cubed
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, for the sauce
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 4 cups chicken, cooked, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onions, freshly chopped
For the Topping and Garnish
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, for the topping
- parsley, fresh, chopped, for garnish
For Serving (Optional)
- hot sauce, as needed, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Chop the bacon into small pieces. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375
- 2
Add the diced onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min00
- 3
Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened and cubed cream cheese to the skillet, along with the whole milk. Stir gently until the cream cheese begins to melt.
⏱️ 3 min00
- 4
Sprinkle in the ranch dressing mix and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
⏱️ 4 min00
- 5
Turn off the heat. Add the cooked rotini pasta, shredded chicken, and chopped green onions to the skillet with the sauce. Stir everything together until all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 3 min00
- 6
Transfer the entire mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
⏱️ 2 min00
- 7
Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon over the top of the casserole, followed by the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 1 min00
- 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling hot and the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and slightly crispy.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375
- 9
Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot, with hot sauce on the side for those who like a little extra kick.
⏱️ 5 min00
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
For the Casserole Base
- 6 bacon, strips, chopped
- 1 onion, small, diced
- 3 garlic, cloves, minced
- 1 cream cheese, brick, softened and cubed
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded, for the sauce
- 8 ounces rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions
- 4 cups chicken, cooked, shredded
- 1/4 cup green onions, freshly chopped
For the Topping and Garnish
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, for the topping
- parsley, fresh, chopped, for garnish
For Serving (Optional)
- hot sauce, as needed, for serving
Instructions
- 1
Preheat your oven to 375°F. Chop the bacon into small pieces. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside in a bowl, reserving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
⏱️ 10 min•🌡️ 375 - 2
Add the diced onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon grease. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
⏱️ 5 min00 - 3
Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened and cubed cream cheese to the skillet, along with the whole milk. Stir gently until the cream cheese begins to melt.
⏱️ 3 min00 - 4
Sprinkle in the ranch dressing mix and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese. Whisk continuously until the sauce is smooth, creamy, and well combined.
⏱️ 4 min00 - 5
Turn off the heat. Add the cooked rotini pasta, shredded chicken, and chopped green onions to the skillet with the sauce. Stir everything together until all ingredients are thoroughly coated.
⏱️ 3 min00 - 6
Transfer the entire mixture into a 9x13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
⏱️ 2 min00 - 7
Sprinkle the reserved crispy bacon over the top of the casserole, followed by the remaining 2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese.
⏱️ 1 min00 - 8
Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbling hot and the cheese on top is melted, golden brown, and slightly crispy.
⏱️ 30 min•🌡️ 375 - 9
Remove from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve hot, with hot sauce on the side for those who like a little extra kick.
⏱️ 5 min00