Creamy, cheesy chicken pasta casserole is one of those comforting dishes everyone will love. It’s easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and packs tons of flavor! This dish perfectly combines protein-packed chicken and hearty pasta in a creamy sauce – ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner.
Chicken and pasta casserole is the perfect way to use up leftovers. Start with cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken breasts. Next, you’ll also need some cooked pasta – any short type of pasta (such as shells, elbow macaroni or penne pasta) is fine! Then the sauce is made with some super simple ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. Who doesn’t love a no-fuss recipe?!
This dish is also incredibly easy to customize. I add some frozen peas into my chicken and pasta casserole for a pop of color and extra flavor – but you can use whatever vegetables you have on hand.
Super easy and convenient, you’ll love how effortlessly this delicious chicken and pasta casserole comes together.
Why You’ll Love Chicken and Pasta Casserole
- The perfect meal. Seriously, my cheesy chicken pasta casserole combines all the best flavors and textures – you won’t be able to resist! The Italian seasoning, cheddar cheese, and chicken soup combine to create the most delicious sauce.
- One pot meal. This chicken pasta casserole dish is made all in one pot, which means fewer dishes to clean up! It also makes my chicken pasta casserole recipe a great choice for those busy weeknights.
- Uses up leftovers. No one likes waste. This recipe a great way to repurpose any leftover chicken and pasta you have on hand – while creating a yummy dish for the whole family.
Ingredients For Chicken Pasta Casserole
- Cream of chicken soup
- Chicken broth
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Chicken
- Cooked pasta
- Cheddar or Mozzarella cheese
- Peas
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions For Chicken and Pasta Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350ºF.
- Combine chicken stock, cream of chicken soup, a teaspoon salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning in a large bowl. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, cheese, and peas. Stir until evenly coated in sauce.
- Pour into an 8×8 baking dish (9×13 can work, it will just be a thinner casserole and have a shorter cook time).
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Remove the foil and bake 5-10 minutes longer, until the edges are bubbly and starting to turn light golden.
Side Dishes to Serve With Chicken Pasta Casserole
You can enjoy my chicken cheesy pasta bake all on its own – but there’s nothing like a side dish to really make it an unforgettable meal. Here are some of my favorite sides to serve with pasta chicken casserole:
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Grilled zucchini
- Green salad with a herb vinaigrette dressing
- Chargrilled bell pepper and red onion
- Italian herb and cheese bread
- Crusty bread rolls with butter
- Instant Pot carrots
- Oven-baked artichoke hearts
Any vegetable side dish will pair perfectly with this cheesy chicken and pasta casserole – so feel free to get creative!
You can store your chicken and pasta casserole in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Once cooled to room temperature, transfer it to an airtight container or cover in plastic wrap. You can reheat your chicken pasta casserole in the microwave or as directed in the recipe card below. Cover the dish with foil if reheating in the oven to prevent it from getting too crispy.
Yes! The flavors meld together even more after a night in the fridge. Next day chicken and pasta casserole is just as delicious as the first day you made it. This means you can enjoy the cheesy goodness of my chicken pasta bake for longer!
Yes, this dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Make sure you cool the casserole completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Defrost it in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it in the oven or microwave.
If you want to cut even more time, you can prepare your chicken and pasta casserole ahead of time. Simply combine all the ingredients as you would if making it right away, but don’t bake it. Cover and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake. This is especially helpful when you’re hosting or attending a potluck!
Chicken Pasta Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup chicken
- 2 cups pasta short, cooked
- 1/2 cup cheese cheddar or mozarella
- 1/2 cup peas frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
- Combine chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the cooked pasta, chicken, cheese, and peas. Stir until evenly coated in sauce.
- Pour into an 8×8 baking dish (9×13 can work, it will just be a thinner casserole and have a shorter cook time).
- Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake 5-10 minutes longer, until the edges are bubbly and starting to turn light golden.
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