Cheesy Chicken Casserole (2023)

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This easy Cheesy Chicken Casserole is made with pasta, chunks of tender chicken and a rich tomato sauce all smothered in mozzarella cheese, then baked to bubbling perfection. A comforting dinner that is undeniably delicious and very easy to prepare!

What’s more comforting than a delicious plate of pasta? But wait! This isn’t just any plate of pasta, it’s a Cheesy Chicken Casserole. Top anything with cheese, toss it in the oven, and I’m here for it!

Chunks of tender chicken breast, pasta shells, a can of diced tomatoes and lots of mozzarella cheese. Add a few spices and aromatics and bake to bubbly perfection.

Why Make This Chicken Casserole

• Uses Kitchen Staple Ingredients
• Great Way To Utilize Unused Ingredients in the Fridge
• Simple & Delicious
• Smothered in Cheese

My favorite part about a recipe like this, is that you don’t really need a recipe at all! Like any good chef will tell you, “a good recipe is cooking without a recipe”, and that’s how this pasta dish came to be!

This cheesy chicken casserole will have everyone flocking to the dinner table. With minimal prep and kitchen staple ingredients, this dish is bound to be added to your weekly dinner rotation. I mean, how can you go wrong with pasta smothered in cheese?

Ingredient Notes

• Pasta – I used pasta shells, feel free to use your favorite type of pasta in this dish, such as bow tie pasta, penne, rigatoni, etc.!
• Chicken – Breasts boneless, skinless, chopped in small 1 inch pieces. You can use chicken thighs as well.
• Olive Oil – Substitute sunflower, safflower or avocado oil.
• Butter – I used unsalted to control the sodium in the dish.
• Tomatoes – Diced tomatoes, canned. You can also use crushed tomatoes.
• Chicken Broth – I always opt for low sodium.
• Herbs – Dried oregano and basil. You can also use a blend of Italian seasoning.
• Garlic and Onion – Essential flavor enhancers.
• Red Pepper Flakes – For a little heat. You can substitute with hot sauce, or nothing at all, if you don’t want any heat.
• Mozzarella Cheese – Shredded. Feel free to use your preference of cheese such as Parmesan, Emmental, Monterey Jack, my only recommendation is to shred your own cheese.

How To Make A Chicken Casserole

1. Cook The Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a pot of boiling salted water.
2. Prep the oven: Preheat oven to 375°F.
3. Cook the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and season chicken with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
4. Add Aromatics: Add the butter to skillet and melt. Stir in onions and cook for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion soften and become translucent. Add garlic and saute for another 30 seconds until aromatic.
5. Finish the Sauce: Season with more salt and pepper if needed, then add the oregano, basil, oregano and red pepper flakes. Stir in the chicken broth and bring to a boil, scraping all the brown bits. Add crushed tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the cooked pasta to a 9×13-inch casserole dish, pour chicken tomato sauce over the pasta and a cup of the mozzarella cheese, then toss well. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake: Transfer the casserole dish the the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes, just until the cheese melts and gets bubbly.

FAQs & Expert Tips

FAQs

Tips

1. To make a breadcrumb topping melt 1 tbsp of butter with ¼cup of breadcrumbs and sprinkle over the top before baking.
2. You can add whatever you see fit to this dish! Toss in veggies, spices or any ingredients you want to use up in your fridge.

Leftovers

Store leftover chicken casserole in an airtight container in the fridge. It will keep for3-5 days,just make sure it’s properly cooled before storing!

How To Freeze

Baked

1. Let the casserole fully cool down to room temperature. Cover the dish well with both plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for 4-6 months.
2. Thaw the casserole fully in the fridge for 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 375°F, and let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
3. Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.

Unbaked

1. Assemble the casserole as stated in the recipe up to and including step 6.
2. Cover the dish well with both plastic wrap and foil. Store in the freezer for 4-6 months.
3. Thaw the casserole fully in the fridge for 24 hours. Preheat the oven to 375°F, and let the casserole sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
4. Bake the casserole as per the recipe instructions.

More Great Recipes To Try

• Crispy Baked Parmesan Chicken Wings
• The Ultimate Mac and Cheese
• Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
• Cheesy Taco Pasta
• Cheesy Crab Dip
• One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
• Easy Chicken Enchilada Casserole