Description
When it comes to comfort food, Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake steals the show! This hearty casserole combines tender chicken, crispy bacon, and creamy ranch dressing, all enveloped in gooey cheddar cheese. Perfect for cozy family dinners or casual get-togethers, this dish will have everyone coming back for seconds. With easy preparation and delightful flavors, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that turns any meal into a celebration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (divided)
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente; drain and set aside.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat and sauté diced chicken until browned and cooked through (8-10 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Fry bacon in another pan until crispy; crumble into pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sautéed chicken, crumbled bacon, ranch dressing, half of the cheddar cheese, and green onions. Mix well.
- Transfer mixture into the baking dish, top with remaining cheese, and bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (about 240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 95mg