Description
Monterey chicken spaghetti casserole brings comfort to your dinner table with a creamy, cheesy blend that makes weeknight meals feel special. Packed with tender chicken, melted cheese, and spaghetti, this dish delivers satisfying flavors your family will absolutely adore.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 16 oz spaghetti
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese
- ½ cup parmesan cheese
Sauces and Dairy:
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- ½ cup milk
- ¼ cup butter
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- ½ cup diced onion
- ½ cup diced bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Warm your oven to 350°F and coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Boil 16 oz spaghetti in salted water for 8-9 minutes until perfectly tender. Drain completely.
- Melt ¼ cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté ½ cup diced onions and ½ cup bell peppers until soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes.
- Crush 2 garlic cloves into the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until your kitchen fills with aromatic fragrance.
- Whisk 1 can cream of chicken soup, 1 cup sour cream, and ½ cup milk in a large mixing bowl until silky smooth.
- Fold 2 cups cooked chicken, your sautéed vegetables, 1 tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper into the creamy mixture.
- Incorporate cooked spaghetti and 1 cup monterey jack cheese, stirring until every strand is generously coated.
- Transfer the entire mixture to your prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.
- Dust the top with ½ cup parmesan cheese and ¼ cup breadcrumbs for a crispy golden finish.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until the surface turns golden and edges bubble enthusiastically.
- Pull the dish from the oven and allow it to rest 5-10 minutes before serving your delicious creation.
Notes
- Make sure to salt the pasta water generously to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Fresh monterey jack cheese melts better than pre-shredded, creating a smoother, creamier texture.
- For a gluten-free version, substitute regular spaghetti with gluten-free pasta and use gluten-free breadcrumbs.
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly as a time-saving protein option and adds extra flavor to the casserole.
- Prep Time: 15-16 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 470 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg