Ingredients
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 8 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained
Sauce and Dairy
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Additions
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti in salted water until just soft or al dente. Drain thoroughly and set aside to prevent overcooking during baking.
- Sauté vegetables: In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, green bell pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables become soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Make the sauce: To the skillet with vegetables, add the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and chicken broth. Stir continuously until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Add spices and chicken: Season the sauce with salt, black pepper, and paprika. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken until evenly distributed throughout the sauce.
- Mix pasta and sauce: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce mixture. Gently fold and stir to ensure the pasta is fully coated with the creamy sauce.
- Add cheese: Incorporate the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses into the mixture. Stir until the cheeses melt and create a creamy, cheesy sauce.
- Bake the casserole: Transfer the entire mixture to a greased baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the optional breadcrumbs over the top to create a crunchy crust.
- Bake until bubbly: Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Rest before serving: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes to allow it to set for easier serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for quick and convenient preparation.
- Cook spaghetti al dente to retain the best texture after baking.
- For a richer taste, feel free to add extra shredded cheese.
- Substitute crushed crackers if you don’t have breadcrumbs on hand.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and the dish to set.
- Add a dash of hot sauce if you prefer a bit of heat in your casserole.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American