If you follow my blog, you know I love a good casserole. Add in some bacon and I am in Heaven!! This casserole literally is mouth watering yummy and PACKED with flavor. Seasoned chicken, chopped up bacon, Alfredo sauce, and pasta…..what more could you ask for in one dish??
Last week, I whipped this up in the afternoon before the kids got home from school. Once dinner rolled around, I popped it in the oven and minutes later, it was on the table ready for devouring. The kids and my hubby all went crazy over this and the leftovers were even better!
Not only is this a quick dinner to prepare, but it is also fairly inexpensive!
Next time you are short on time, be sure to throw this together. Your family will thank you!!! Enjoy!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1 lb chicken, boneles/skinless, diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix
- 8 oz pasta (I used shells)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- salt/pepper, to taste
- 14.5 oz Alfredo sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to375 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 towl 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!
Shared at: Meal Plan Monday
Marlene Daniels
What size jar of Alfredo sauce and when do you add the bacon? Sounds yummy.
Kristin
Oops, sorry about that. I have corrected the recipe to include that information, but the size jar is 14.5 oz. You add the bacon when you sprinkle on the cheese. Thanks for catching that! Enjoy!!
jamie
what would you use instead of Alfredo sauce
Kristin
Hmmmm……I’m not sure what other sauce you could use as a red sauce wouldn’t really go well with this….
Maybe a white wine garlic type sauce?
Sorry I couldn’t be of more help!!
Judy Fisher
How many servings does this make?
Kristin
This makes 8 servings!!
Denise
Would ranch dressing work just as good as the dry packet?
Kristin
It should, but since its more liquidy than the dry packet, I would decrease the Alfredo a bit 🙂
Peggy C
I have used cream of chicken soup with about 1/2 can of milk or cream for this recipe and sauteed mushrooms
Peggy C
I forgot to mention that I added 6 oz shredded parmesan cheese to the soup and milk mixture once it was heated- this instead of jar Alfredo Sauce…It was even better the next day when we warmed it up
Peggy C
I also use thin spaghetti noodles instead of Rotini pasta sometimes…so many different ways to enjoy pasta dinners…I don’t always have the exact ingredients on hand so I improvise…This one is awesome…Thanks for sharing this casserole dish…I love pasta
Kristin
Great ideas on changing this up, sounds yummy!! So glad you enjoyed it!!
SUSAN TEETER
BRIAN WEST is posting this recipe and the pictures as his on this FB site—-https://www.facebook.com/groups/45749664303/
Kristin
Oh wow!! Thank you so much for catching that, I have messaged him and hope he will correct the issue! Thanks for letting me know!!!
Ginger
What’s good on the side with this
Kristin
I always make a salad with this and either a veggie or some fresh fruit!!
Denise
This looks amazing, will try this tonight with some bread sticks and salad, hope the kids will enjoy this, thanks
Anonymous
Made this dish for dinner for my family!! We loved it… So nice an favor full ? Thanks for the recipe! This is be added to my holidays meals as well?❤️
Kristin
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it!!! <3
Kristin
My kids love this, so hopefully yours will too!! Enjoy!!
wendy
How much is the serving size?
Kristin
About 1 1/2 cups is a serving size in this recipe!
Colleen Brzykcy
I made this on Saturday and it was delicious! Served with a salad and garlic butter bread sticks …. Simply amazing and definitely different- exactly what I’ve been looking for. This recipe will stay in our dinner list ?
Kristin
Yea! So glad you all enjoyed it!!
Peyton McCracken
What side dish would you recommend with this dish? Im making it for my boyfriend and thought about mashed potatoes but I feel like that is too heavy to go with the pasta and too starchy. Do you think mashed potatoes would be ok or do you have any recommendations?
Leslie
Do you have any nutritional information is calories per serving and serving size?
Emanuelle Lovecraft
I made this for my family last night and it was a complete hit! Even my super picky husband enjoyed it! I used Barilla Fiber Plus penne as the pasta base. It was perfect! Thank you so much for posting this!
Kristin
Yea!! I am so glad you enjoyed it!!
Kristin
Hi!! There are 6 servings in this dish and each serving has about 803 calories. Not the healthiest, but sure worth it hehe! Enjoy!!
Kristin
I typically serve a veggie and salad with this, or salad and crescent rolls. I think mashed potatoes might be a bit heavy as a side for this, but then again, I love potatoes and can’t ever turn them away, haha!! Hope that helps! Enjoy!!
Dory
Do you mix the chicken and Alfredo sauce with the pasta or just put it on top?
Kristin
Nope, just put it at the top, no need to mix it in!!
kristin hoffman
I have a guy friend who doesn’t like alfredo sauce. I’m going to make a white sauce and mix the ranch packet with it. Wish me luck.
Kristin
Good luck!! Hope you both enjoy it!!
Juanita
I think I would try this with some thawed hash browns.
Kristin
I bet that would be yummy! Great idea!
Stephanie
Just made this for dinner and I wouldn’t change a thing! It was delicious!
Kristin
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Sandra Wilson
Can someone recommend a good jar alfredo sauce?
Kristin
I really like Bertolli Garlic Alfredo personally 🙂
Teresa
I am thinking about making a double recipe and just wondering, if it doesn’t get eat to well, how long can store refrigerated and can this be frozen?
Kristin
I am not sure about freezing this as the pasta might get mushy when thawed out. As for refrigerating this, I would say up to 3 days!!
Melinda
Could you use real bacon bit and can chicken breast meat?….Was thinking that would make it even quicker to prepare.
Kristin
For sure!! That would definitely make this dish even easier to prepare! Enjoy!!
JAMES MADISON
Has anyone tried this in the crockpot. Maybe add the pasta, sprinkle cheese, and bacon at the end?
Kristin
I haven’t, but I bet that would work great! Maybe add in already cooked pasta and bacon towards the end? Keep me posted if you try it!
ruth amis
wish these recipes were easy for us in the UK!! we dont have a dried ranch dressing!! i find this a lot with these wonderful recipes – so disappointing
x
Kristin
Here is a “diy” version of dried ranch dressing you can make at home! Enjoy! https://allrecipes.com/recipe/85504/dry-ranch-style-seasoning-for-dip-or-dressing/
Kathy
I made this last night and it was a big hit! Easy and good, love that combination. I will be making it again!
Kristin
Yea!!! So glad you enjoyed it!!
Faye
It says 9 x 9 baking dish. I’m not familiar with a 9 x 9 baking dish. Should it be 8 x 8 or 9 x 13? Thanks.
Kristin
I have a casserole dish that is a bit off on size, hence the 9 x 9, sorry about that! An 8 x 8 works great as well!!
Tasha
Can you freeze this?
Kristin
Before or after cooking are you referring to? I have some of this in my freezer right now from the other night, so leftovers freeze great. As for freezing prior to cooking, I am not sure, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work out great!
Victoria
My family loved it, thank you soooo much for your recipes. How do I send you a picture of my dish?
Kristin
Yea! I am so glad it was a hit!! Anytime you have a picture to share, I love to have it posted on my FB page, https://www.facebook.com/CookinChicks
Cant wait to see it!!
Amber K
Do you think this would be okay to make in a crock pot.. trying to figure out how to warm it for a potluck
Kristin
Hmmm, I have never tried it, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work great! If you try it, be sure to let me know!
Mary
im notorious for setting a recipe and adding my own touches, so i apologize in advance! i made this tonight, but i used evaporated milk and smoked Gouda as my sauce. i whisked some chicken bullion, a touch of crushed red pepper and ranch seasoning in the milk, substituted real butter for oil, added in some finely chopped green onion and sweet red pepper. just at the last, i sprinkled on some sharp cheddar, bacon, smoked paprika and just a dash of chives. dear Lord. heaven!
Patrica Dailey
Have not tried it yet ,looks gpreat! ! Thanks! !
Kristin
Hope you enjoy it!!
Tabitha Williams
Would I be able to make this in a Dutch oven and still put it in the oven? Would the bake time change? TIA
Kristin
Absolutely! That would work just fine! I would decrease the time by about 10 minutes and just keep an eye on it from there!
Desiree Kunze
Why does the pasta have to be al dente?
Kristin
That is just how I prefer it after trying it a few different ways. However, if you prefer a shorter or longer cook time, no problem at all! Enjoy!
Amanda
I’ve made this a couple times for my family and it’s a hit. We all loved it. Recently my husband and I went low carb. For dinner tonight I made one pan following your recipe and one pan following your recipe except subbing cauliflower for the noodles. It worked and still tastes really good. Thanks for the recipe.
Kristin
That’s great to know that it works great with cauliflower! Thanks for the tip! Glad you enjoyed!!
Lynea
I’ve been trying to get my 14 year old to make dinner once a week, and this is what she chose for tonight… can’t wait to try it!
Kristin
Oh how fun! Hope you all enjoy it! How neat that she will be making this!
Jennie
This is one of my verrrry favorite dishes, prepared just as the recipe specifies. Too many comments to read, so Im wondering if it freezes qell? Asking for a friend. Thanks!
Kristin
So glad you enjoy this!! Yep, it freezes perfectly! The noodles may be a tad mushier than before, but just as yummy! I have frozen our leftovers before and had no complaints the next time I thawed and served! Enjoy!
Chris
After all ingredients are mixed, can this be frozen and baked at a later date?
Kristin
Absolutely! Freezes great!
Bert Corbell
This looks scrumptious – mu hubby’s favorite is a good casserol!
Kelly
OMG. Thank you thank you thank you!! Im a ranch freak, and was worried I wasn’t going to taste much ranch because I cooked the seasoned chicken in the bacon grease instead of using olive oil, and I used an extra half packet of ranch mix to season my Alfredo noodles. Holy Moly!!! Awesome!
Kristin
Then he definitely would love this! Enjoy!!
Kristin
Hehe, so glad you enjoyed this! 🙂
Barbara
I made this and added broccoli, I doubled up the recipe and the family still finished almost all of it. It was very good
Kristin
Great idea adding a veggie in!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!
Stephanie, One Caring Mom
I saw this on Pinterest and the picture…oooh my goodness. It looks absolutely incredible. I knew that no matter what was in it, it would HAVE to be delicious. But when I read the ingredient list I knew it was meant for me. It has all my favorites and I can’t wait to try it!!
Kristin
Oh you will DEFINITELY love this!! Its a family favorite and number one recipe on the blog! Creamy, cheesy, bacon, chicken, and more! Yum!! Hope you enjoy it!!
Mom that didn't pay attention in math class
How would you alter this recipe for a 13×9 dish?
Kristin
You can make this in a 13×9, it just wont be as full of a pan. Or, you can double the recipe and it will fit great!
Merrideth
Woah that looks amazing! Your pictures are fantastic too! I can’t wait to try this. I’ll have to put bacon on only half of it though since the bf doesn’t like it! (I know, who doesn’t like bacon?)
Kristin
Doesn’t like bacon?!?! Wow! I don’t know what I would do without bacon, LOL!! Hope you enjoy this! Its a favorite in my house!
Tina
My husband liked this dish. I wish it had been a little creamier
Kimberly K
Is there a way I could use rotisserie chicken with the dry ranch packet? Thanks for the recipe it looks delicious
Kristin
You can always add a bit more alfredo sauce to make it creamier!! Glad it was enjoyed!
Kristin
Sure! You could simply toss the chicken and ranch mix together prior to adding to the casserole! It will still season it and work great!
Crissy
Absolutely amazing! I forgot to get bacon this time but both times I’ve made this, we’ve loved it!
Kristin
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Tina
Made this tonight for my picky 5 year old granddaughters and they loved it!
Kristin
Yea!! Glad it was a hit!!
Bob
Great dish, definitely a keeper!
Kristin
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Kristin
I’m just wondering if I made a double batch should I put it in a 9×13 pan?? I’m excited to try this for tonight but I want to make sure there’s enough for all of us lol
Kristin
Hi!! Yep, put it in a 9×13 pan if doubling! Hope you enjoy! Keep me posted!
Ashlei
Would this be good to make and freeze and reheat on another day?
Kristin
Absolutely! I have done that a few times and its worked great! Enjoy!
Sam
Delicious! Paired this with roasted asparagus and applesauce. Going to put this recipe in the regular rotation
Kristin
Yea!! So glad you enjoyed it!
Allee
When you add the Alfredo sauce to the pan after the noodles and chicken, do you stir them all together or just lay the sauce on top? Thanks!
Kristin
Either way works! Typically I am in a hurry and simply pour on top and move on. However, I have mixed it in and its just as yummy!
Christine
My family loves this. I make my own alfredo sauce and put the cheeses in and mix. Pour over chicken and noodles. Then I put a little more cheese sprinkled on top with the bacon.
Kristin
Yum!! So glad you enjoy it!
Jess
This was very good! Definitely keeping this recipe and my family loved it and they are picky eaters
Kristin
Yea!! Glad it was enjoyed!!
Janet
My husband doesn’t like chicken, but he liked this dish. I didn’t have the right kind of cheese, so I used Fiesta blend instead. I thought it turned out great. Thank you for the recipe.
Simply Southern
This recipe was awesome! Such great flavor. We ate this a second time around as leftovers and my son-in-law commented that this is his new favorite. I did add mushrooms and that was a great addition!
Kristin
Yea!! So glad it was a hit!!
Kristin
Yea! I love hearing that! And mushrooms added sounds like a great addition!! Glad it was enjoyed!
OMAR AHMED
This recipe was awesome!! tkanks
Kristin
Yea!! Glad to hear you enjoyed it!!
Melanie
Can I make tgis on the stove? My hubby and son are weird. They dont like casseroles in the oven or crispy cheese on top… I know, I need to trade them in because they are crazy!
Kristin
Sure! Everything is cooked prior to assembling, so you can always assemble in a pot and simply have the cheese melt on top using medium heat/stovetop.
Shelly L Eby
So delicious! So easy and quick!
Kristin
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Tammy VanNort
can I use rice instead of noodles? my husband gets tired of noodles
Kristin
Sure! Just cook the rice and assemble in place of the pasta. The only thing the cook time in the oven is doing is to warm things up, so rice should work great too! Enjoy!
Kristin Kirchner
First time making something like this. My kids are so picky but this was a huge hit. Will make this again for sure.
Kristin
Yea!! So glad to hear it was a hit! Anything with bacon is always a hit with the kids, haha!