Description
This hearty chicken and bacon pasta casserole combines creamy textures with smoky bacon for a comforting meal. Rich layers of cheese, tender chicken, and crisp bacon create a satisfying dinner perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 12 oz (340 g) uncooked pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- ¼ cup chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preparation: Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and preheat oven to 375F (190C).
- Pasta Preparation: Cook pasta in salted water until al dente, drain completely, and reserve.
- Protein Searing: In a large skillet, heat olive oil and cook seasoned chicken until golden and thoroughly done. Remove chicken and crisp bacon in the same skillet, then chop into bite-sized pieces.
- Sauce Creation: Lower skillet heat and craft a smooth roux by melting butter and whisking in flour. Gradually introduce milk and cream, stirring continuously to develop a velvety consistency.
- Flavor Infusion: Incorporate garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika into the sauce. Melt cheddar and Parmesan cheese until fully integrated and sauce becomes rich and creamy.
- Casserole Assembly: Fold cooked pasta, chicken, and most bacon pieces into the sauce, ensuring complete coverage. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish, distributing evenly and topping with remaining bacon fragments.
- Baking and Finishing: Roast in preheated oven until surface turns golden and edges bubble. Rest for several minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook pasta just al dente to prevent mushiness during baking, as it will continue cooking in the creamy sauce.
- Bacon Crispness Strategy: Reserve some bacon for topping to maintain maximum crunch and provide textural contrast in the final dish.
- Sauce Smoothness Technique: Whisk roux continuously and add dairy gradually to prevent lumps, ensuring a silky, professional-quality sauce.
- Protein Flexibility Option: Substitute chicken with turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken, or plant-based protein alternatives for dietary adaptability.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 652
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg