Description
Creamy BBQ Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake brings comfort right to your dinner table with a mouthwatering blend of smoky bacon, tender chicken, and zesty ranch. Melted cheese and tangy barbecue sauce create a crowd-pleasing casserole perfect for family gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 6 slices cooked bacon
Seasoning and Garnish:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 green onions
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and grab a 9×13 inch baking dish. Spray it lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook 8 oz of penne pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside while keeping it warm.
- Shred 2 cups of cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces using two forks. Make sure no large chunks remain.
- Mix 1 cup BBQ sauce, 1 cup ranch dressing, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the warm pasta and shredded chicken to the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat every piece evenly.
- Pour the entire pasta and chicken blend into the prepared baking dish. Spread it out smoothly with a spatula.
- Sprinkle 1 cup cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese across the top, covering the entire surface.
- Crumble 6 bacon slices and distribute them evenly over the cheese layer.
- Slide the dish into the preheated 350°F oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cheese melts completely and turns golden.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes. This helps the cheese set and makes serving easier.
- Chop 2 green onions and scatter them on top as a fresh, colorful garnish right before serving.
Notes
- Swap ranch dressing with Greek yogurt to cut calories and add protein for a healthier version.
- Experiment with different BBQ sauces to customize the flavor profile and match your taste preferences.
- Prep chicken and bacon ahead of time to make assembly faster on busy weeknights.
- For a gluten-free option, use chickpea or gluten-free pasta instead of traditional wheat pasta.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 645 kcal
- Sugar: 9 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 38 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg