With just 6 ingredients, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is an easy family dinner that everyone will enjoy! Tender pasta is covered in a creamy alfredo and ranch sauce, with hidden bites of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and mozzarella cheese all baked together in one easy casserole.
Table of Contents
- Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
- What Makes This Chicken Casserole So Good?
- Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Tips & Recipe Variations
- What Goes With Chicken Noodle Casserole?
- How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
- Can I Freeze This Chicken Ranch Casserole?
- More Chicken Casserole Recipes
- Get the Recipe
Creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Recipe
For those of you that like chicken pasta recipes, you are going to LOVE this creamy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. It’s so easy to make, and kids and adults alike are guaranteed to gobble it up and ask for seconds (maybe even thirds!).
This cheesy chicken casserole recipe is a combination of your favorite small pasta, crispy bacon bits, juicy chicken, creamy alfredo sauce, and zesty ranch seasoning. Basically, if you mix ranch chicken with rich alfredo pasta, you get this next-level cheesy casserole.
When we’re craving comfort food, but we don’t want to work too hard in the kitchen, this easy chicken casserole is our go-to meal. It never disappoints flavor-wise, and it stores really well so we can enjoy it again later on in the week!
Looking for a stove top version of this easy pasta? This version is ready to serve in 20 minutes: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta.
What Makes This Chicken Casserole So Good?
There are a lot of chicken casserole recipes to love, so why spend your time making this one? Here’s why we’re so addicted:
- Comforting Flavors: There’s nothing like a rich, creamy alfredo sauce filled with parmesan cheese to end your day on a high note. Throw in some zesty ranch seasoning for a little extra flavor, and you’ll be licking the plate clean (we will, at least!).
- Easy Meal Prep: If you prepare the chicken and alfredo sauce ahead of time, or even the pasta, this chicken dinner comes together in a flash. You can also prep it ahead to bake for dinner later in the week.
- Picky-Eater Approved: Who could turn down alfredo pasta with juicy chicken? Kids will run to the table to dig into this cheesy goodness.
- Budget Friendly: With just 6 simple and affordable ingredients, this is an easy dinner idea that won’t hurt your wallet!
Recipe Ingredients
Another great thing about this chicken ranch casserole is that the ingredients list is pretty short! Here’s what you will need. (You can find the exact measurements for each ingredient at the bottom of the page, in the printable recipe card.)
- Penne Pasta: Any small pasta should work, use what you have in the pantry.
- Bacon: You can cook your bacon in a pan or in the air fryer, whatever is easier. To save even more time, you can use store bought bacon bits if you prefer.
- Chicken: You’ll need pre-cooked, shredded chicken for this recipe (chicken breast or chicken thighs, either works). We love this recipe for easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken, but you could also use leftover diced chicken or a rotisserie chicken.
- Alfredo Sauce: You can use a store-bought jar or this Homemade Alfredo Sauce.
- Ranch Seasoning: We like to use the ranch seasoning you can find in the grocery store for simplicity, but homemade ranch seasoning also works here.
- Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese is our go-to, but you could use cheddar cheese instead, if you like.
- Optional Garnishes: Add chopped green onions, or fresh parsley, at the end for garnish.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Let’s get into how to make a chicken bacon ranch casserole. The steps are pretty simple – essentially you just have to cook the pasta, cook the bacon, combine the ingredients, top everything with cheese, and bake!
- Preheat Oven to 350°F: Use nonstick spray to coat a 9×13 casserole dish. Set aside.
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it’s al dente. (Do not overcook the pasta, it will continue to cook in the oven.) Then, drain it and set it aside for now.
- Cook the Bacon: While the pasta is cooking, fry the bacon until it’s crispy. Crumble the bacon (or chop it into pieces) and set it aside.
- Mix the Ingredients Together: In a large bowl, add the chicken, alfredo, Ranch seasoning, cooked pasta, crumbled bacon, and some mozzarella cheese. Stir until combined.
- Bake the Casserole: Pour your casserole mixture into the prepared casserole dish and top it with the remaining cheese and bacon. Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Let It Cool, Then Serve and Enjoy! Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Top with fresh parsley or chopped green onions, if desired.
Tips & Recipe Variations
10 minutes of prep work, 30 minutes in the oven, and bam, you’re ready to eat. It doesn’t get much easier than that! There are, however, a few tips and recipe variations that we’d like to share with you before you start:
- Don’t Over-Cook the Pasta: It’s better to undercook it just a bit because it will continue to cook in the oven. Make sure to remove it from the stove as soon as it is al dente.
- Make the Chicken Ahead: You can meal prep for this dish by using our Instant Pot or Crockpot Shredded Chicken.
- Add Vegetables: If you want to get some veggies in this cheesy casserole, you could toss in some spinach, broccoli or chopped bell peppers. We recommend steaming them till tender, but still crisp, before adding them to your casserole. (They will continue to cook a little more as the casserole bakes.)
What Goes With Chicken Noodle Casserole?
The list of side dishes that you could serve with this chicken bacon ranch casserole is pretty extensive. Here are a few suggestions:
- Rolls: Buttery dinner rolls or garlic bread go great with a chicken casserole.
- Vegetables: Steamed broccoli, mushrooms, roasted asparagus, and more work as healthy veggies side dishes for this meal. Roasted Green Beans are also always good.
- Salad: A green salad, like this Arugula Salad, is a nice, light addition to a cheesy chicken dinner.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
Chicken casserole stores really easily! Here’s how to preserve and reheat leftovers should you have them:
- To Store: Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat this casserole in the microwave, or in a pot on the stove. The pasta tends to absorb the liquid it is stored in, so you may want to add a little milk before reheating.
Can I Freeze This Chicken Ranch Casserole?
Yes, you can! Freeze leftover chicken ranch casserole for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight, and then go ahead and reheat it.
More Chicken Casserole Recipes
Easy chicken casseroles come in all sorts of flavors! Here are a few more to pick from:
- Chicken Pot Pie Casserole
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- KFC Bowl Casserole Recipe
- Cajun Chicken Casserole
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 6 slices bacon
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 1 15 oz jar alfredo sauce, or homemade alfredo sauce
- 1 oz ranch seasoning
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Optional Garnishes
- Green onions
- Parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Use nonstick spray to coat a 9×13 casserole dish. Set aside.
- Cook pasta according to the package instructions till al dente. (Do not overcook the pasta, it will continue to cook in the oven.) Drain and set aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, fry bacon until crispy. Crumble bacon (or chop it into pieces) and set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken, alfredo, Ranch seasoning, cooked pasta, ½ of the crumbled bacon and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until combined.
- Pour casserole mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving. Top with fresh parsley or chopped green onions, if desired.
Notes
- To Store: Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: Reheat this casserole in the microwave, or in a pot on the stove. The pasta tends to absorb the liquid it is stored in, so you may want to add a little milk before reheating.
- To Freeze: Freeze leftover chicken ranch casserole for up to 3 months. When you want to eat it again, thaw it in the fridge overnight, and then go ahead and reheat it.
