These last few weeks have been the coldest in a long time here in the Northeast. It's been a struggle trying to stay warm, but thankfully the classic casserole has been a life saver! I came across this recipe here and knew I had to try it. With two young boys, I never know if a meal is going to be a hit or a miss. This dish is extremely flavorful with chunks of hearty chicken, creamy cheese, mixed with good ol' pasta and topped with crumbled bacon. A definite win!
Ingredients:
4 cups uncooked penne pasta (substitute macaroni or rotini)
8 ounces cream cheese, softened and cubed
2 ounces ranch seasoning mix (2 packets)
24 ounces evaporated milk (2 cans)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie works well!)
2 cups shredded cheese (I used mexican blend)
3 ounces chopped bacon bits
Instructions:
1.) Cook pasta according to the package.
2.) Spray a 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray and preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
3.) In a medium to large bowl, use a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese and ranch seasoning until smooth.
4.) Add half a can of evaporated milk and mix. Keep adding half a can and mixing until you've completely mixed both cans.
5.) Fold in the chicken and one cup of shredded cheese. Add pasta and mix well.
6.) Spread the mixture in the baking dish, topping with the remaining cup of shredded cheese and crumbled bacon bits.
7.) Bake for about 30 minutes, uncovered, until casserole is heated through. Optional: top with fresh herbs like parsley.
We ate this yummy dinner with a fire going in our wood stove and it was heavenly! If you're not sure what meal would warm up your entire family (kid-approved!), try this tonight.
