Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is packed with flavor and combines chicken, pasta, ranch seasoning, crumbled bacon, and cheese in a tasty dish! Using only a few simple ingredients, this casserole is quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights!
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This easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole recipe is packed with flavor and combines Seasoned chicken, chopped up bacon, Alfredo sauce, and pasta…..what more could you ask for, right??
Not only can this casserole be made in under 30 minutes, but it is also budget friendly and family approved! Comfort food at its finest!
Jump to:
- Ingredients for this Casserole
- How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- What kind of Chicken is best for Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole?
- Which Pasta is best for Chicken Bacon Casserole?
- Which Alfredo Sauce to use for the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole?
- How to store Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Side Dishes to serve with a Chicken Casserole
- Best Cheese to use for this recipe
- More Chicken Bacon Ranch recipes to try
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
Ingredients for this Casserole
- Bacon- cooked and crumbled, if you want an added kick, use Jalapeno Bacon
- Chicken- boneless, skinless chicken breast works best, diced or cubed
- Olive Oil- this helps coat the chicken and combine the Ranch mix evenly onto the chicken breast
- Ranch Dressing Mix
- Pasta- I used Shells, however, if you prefer Rotini or another type, feel free to substitute
- Mozzarella Cheese- shredded, try to avoid pre-packaged as it doesn’t melt as easily
- Cheddar Cheese- shredded, try to avoid pre-packaged
- Salt/Pepper- to taste
- Alfredo Sauce- any type works, even homemade if desired
How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9 x 9 baking dish.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook bacon until crispy, about 7 minutes. Drain bacon grease from skillet and place bacon on paper towel to absorb remaining grease from bacon.
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag, add in the olive oil, diced chicken (raw still at this point), and Ranch mix.
- Shake around sealed bag to coat thoroughly.
- Add chicken to skillet and cook until no longer pink.
- In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until al dente. Drain water and add pasta to greased baking dish.
- Add cooked chicken and Alfredo sauce to the pasta.
- Sprinkle both cheeses, bacon, and salt/pepper to the top of the Alfredo sauce and place dish into preheated oven.
- Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve!
What kind of Chicken is best for Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole?
This recipe is best with boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite sized pieces. Of course, you can use chicken thighs instead if that’s what you have on hand. You can use Rotisserie chicken in this recipe if desired, you’ll just want to omit the olive oil and toss chicken with Ranch mix. Whichever route you prefer!
Which Pasta is best for Chicken Bacon Casserole?
I prefer using shells because they are kid-friendly and tend to have great texture in this dish. However, if you prefer Rotini or Penne pasta, those are both great options as well. Farfalle works too! I have tested this with spaghetti and angel hair and although it works, the pasta tends to get over powdered with the ingredients.
What about Gluten Free Pasta?
Yes! That works great in this recipe! I used Barilla gluten-free rotini pasta and boiled it for 6 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse it with lukewarm water and set it aside. Works great and is a great option in this recipe.
Which Alfredo Sauce to use for the Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole?
If you check out the Alfredo section of your grocery store, chances are, you may be a bit overwhelmed. So many options! My go-to sauce is Garlic Alfredo from Barilla. I love the added garlic flavor in this dish and even my kids love it. However, any type works great! In fact, you can even make a homemade alfredo to control the ingredients a bit.
How to store Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Simply reheat in the microwave until desired temperature is reached. This can also be enjoyed chilled once cooked.
Can I freeze Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Casserole?
If you want a great freezer meal, skip the baking part and cover with foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Remove from freezer, allow to thaw, and cook in oven for about 30 minutes, or until heated through.
If you cook the casserole and have leftovers to freeze, store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
Side Dishes to serve with a Chicken Casserole
Parmesan Roasted Brussel Sprouts– these crispy, flavorful Brussel sprouts are a tasty way to add greens to your meal
Cheesy Zucchini Bake– tender zucchini coated with seasonings and cheese
Lemon Garlic Asparagus– roasted asparagus coated in a lemon garlic sauce
Buttery Bread Machine Rolls– melt in your mouth, tender rolls made easily in your bread machine. Compliments this meal perfectly
Mini Garlic Monkey Bread– using pre-made biscuit dough, this monkey bread dish comes together quickly and is packed with garlic and Parmesan
Best Cheese to use for this recipe
I love using fresh Mozzarella cheese and Cheddar cheese in this recipe! Try to avoid using the pre-packaged cheeses as they are pre-coated with an additive to prevent clumping. Unfortunately, this causes the cheese to not melt evenly and can leave a grainy texture when eating. You can also have some fun and add in some Pepper Jack cheese or Monterey Jack!
More Chicken Bacon Ranch recipes to try
Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders– these sliders are loaded with shredded chicken, crumbled bacon, Ranch seasoning, and cheese
Instant Pot Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta– short on time? Let the Instant Pot do all the work and enjoy this cheesy, chicken bacon pasta in a fraction of the time
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad– the ultimate dish for picnic’s, potlucks, and more!
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ lb bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 lb chicken, boneless/skinless, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix
- 8 oz pasta (I used shells)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt/pepper, to taste
- 14.5 oz Alfredo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and grease a 9 x 9 baking dish.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy, about 7 minutes.
- Drain bacon grease from skillet and place bacon on paper towel to absorb remaining grease from bacon.
- In a gallon size Ziploc bag, add in the olive oil, diced chicken (raw still at this point), and Ranch mix.
- Shake around sealed bag to coat thoroughly.
- Add chicken to skillet and cook until no longer pink.
- In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until al dente.
- Drain water and add pasta to greased baking dish.
- Add cooked chicken and Alfredo sauce to the pasta.
- Sprinkle both cheeses, bacon, and salt/pepper to the top of the Alfredo sauce and place dish into preheated oven.
- Bake until bubbly and cheese is melted, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from oven and serve! Enjoy!
Nutrition
Recipe updated 10/03/2022
Paula says
Kristin, I just found this fantastic recipe of yours and my daughter and I LOVE it! I hate shredding cheese, but I found some packaged mozzarella that melts beautifully, btw. Well, technically, it’s a combo. It’s Kraft Creamy Melt Mozzarella which has a touch of Philadelphia Cream Cheese for easy melting. And it tastes wonderful! That’s the only change I made. We can’t get enough! Thank you for sharing such a great recipe!! 💜
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this and so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Its a favorite in my house for sure!
Sherry says
Um WOW! I thought this would be good but wasn’t expecting it to be sooooo amazingly good! I made my own alfredo and also made your brussel sprouts recipe as a side with this. Will definitely be making this again and again!
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing this!! What a fabulous combo too! The brussel sprouts are my fav!! So glad you enjoyed both recipes!
Richard Gill says
So so good, just few changes.I used 16oz rotini pasta (didn’t want divide the box), can of mushrooms, diced tomatoes with green chilies and Colby jack cheese. I used the whole pack of bacon. I definitely will be making this again.
Kristin says
Yay!! So glad you enjoyed and love the changes you made, sounds delicious!!
Judy says
You made a completly different casserole.
Carrie says
So good! Since I make a full box of pasta and add broccoli/cauliflower to it, I use the larger jar of Alfredo Sauce & extra ranch seasoning. It has always turned out delicious! My daughter has even requested it a few times and she hates eating the same thing too often. Thanks for a simple and delicious recipe!
Kristin says
What a great idea on adding veggies in! Glad to hear you all enjoy it as much as my family does!!
Katlyn says
Had it tonight again. The whole family loves it. Have been cooking this for a year now. It’s always so delicious.
The only thing I tweak is, I add a whole pack of bacon bc I love bacon, & I don’t measure the cheddar cheese, I just put it realllll thick on top bc I like a lot of cheese too. I use prego Alfredo home style. THE BEST!!!!
Kristin says
Yay!! Love hearing that you enjoyed it!! Can’t go wrong with extra bacon and cheese, right?!!
Maddy says
What will the temp be to reheat this? I have made this several times and my family is a huge fan. There has been a death in our family and I am planning on whipping this up tomorrow to bring to them for dinner. However, I’m not sure what to tell them for temp and times in the oven to reheat?!
Kristin says
So sorry to hear about the death in your family!
To reheat, I would say 350 degrees for about 30-40 minutes. To keep it a bit more moist, you can have them cover with foil while reheating!
Esha says
Really delicious with all my favorite ingredients!
Kristin says
Glad you enjoyed!!
Kristin says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed!
Amy says
The dish was very yummy!! It will become apart of my go to dishes for dinner!
Kristin says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed!
Jean says
Wonderful. Didn’t change a thing
Kristin says
Yay! Glad you enjoyed!
Betty latham says
If I cook this from making ahead and putting in fridge, then how long do I cook?
Kristin says
Add about 15 minutes and go from there!
Missy says
Made it and everyone loves it
Kristin says
Yay!! Glad you enjoyed!!
Tiffany says
This is amazing!!! And really easy to make!! My whole family loved it! Thanks for sharing!!
Kristin says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!