Description
Spicy Southern Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole brings Southern comfort right to your dinner table with a kick of heat and creamy goodness. Packed with tender chicken, melted cheese, and a zesty sauce, this casserole guarantees smiles around your family’s plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 lb chicken shredded meat
- 1 lb Velveeta cheese
- 1 lb spaghetti (cooked)
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 1 10 oz can original Rotel
- 1 10 oz can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Finishing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup panko bread crumbs
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- crushed red pepper flakes (for serving)
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with Crisco, ensuring every corner is covered. Set the oven to precisely 350 degrees F.
- In a large stockpot, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 1 pound Velveeta cheese chunks, 1 can Rotel, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, and 1 cup milk.
- Stir the mixture continuously until the Velveeta completely melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce, about 5-6 minutes.
- Add 1 pound shredded rotisserie chicken and 1 pound cooked spaghetti to the pot. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly with a spoon.
- Sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, then dust with ½ cup panko bread crumbs for a crispy texture.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake at 350 degrees F for exactly 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and broil for 3-4 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning until bread crumbs turn golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven to allow the sauce to set.
- Serve hot, sprinkling crushed red pepper flakes on top according to your spice preference.
Notes
- Swap out regular spaghetti for whole wheat or gluten-free pasta to make this dish more diet-friendly.
- For a lighter version, use reduced-fat cheese and low-sodium cream of mushroom soup.
- Rotisserie chicken works perfectly as a time-saving protein alternative to cooking chicken from scratch.
- Always watch the broiling stage carefully, as breadcrumbs can burn quickly and ruin the entire casserole’s beautiful topping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 577 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 34 g
- Saturated Fat: 19 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg