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Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake
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★★★★★

4.9 from 13 reviews

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole combining tender spaghetti, shredded chicken, and a luscious creamy sauce flavored with ranch seasoning and garlic. Topped with crispy bacon, cheddar, and Parmesan cheeses, this hearty dish is perfect for a family dinner or potluck gathering, delivering rich Southern-inspired flavors in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

  • 12 oz spaghetti

Protein

  • 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Cheeses & Dairy

  • 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup sour cream
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Condiments & Seasonings

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
  • 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the spaghetti: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Prepare the creamy sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
  3. Combine chicken and sauce: Add the cooked shredded chicken, half of the shredded cheddar cheese, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese into the sauce mixture. Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  4. Mix spaghetti with sauce: Gently fold the cooked spaghetti into the creamy chicken mixture ensuring the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce.
  5. Assemble the bake: Transfer the spaghetti and creamy chicken mixture into a greased baking dish. Spread it out evenly across the dish.
  6. Add cheese and bacon topping: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top, followed by the cooked and crumbled bacon pieces.
  7. Bake the casserole: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for about 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is slightly golden.
  8. Garnish and serve: Remove the bake from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle chopped parsley on top if desired before serving warm.

Notes

  • You can substitute shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce.
  • This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if baking straight from the fridge.
  • To make it gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta and verify the ranch mix and soup are gluten-free.
  • Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern spaghetti bake, creamy chicken pasta casserole, chicken and bacon pasta bake, comfort food casserole

Find it online: https://bitesizedbenny.com/creamy-southern-spaghetti-bake/