This chicken bacon ranch casserole is the kind of dinner you make when you want something quick and easy that is cozy, filling, and guaranteed to be a hit. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with shredded chicken, crispy bacon, pasta, and just the right amount of ranch flavor.

It’s easy enough for a weeknight, comforting enough for a Sunday dinner, and flexible enough to make ahead which is exactly what we want from a good casserole.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This chicken bacon ranch pasta bake is a hearty dinner recipe everyone will love! Here is everything you’ll need:

• Butter: Forms the base of the sauce and adds richness while helping create a smooth, creamy texture.
• Garlic: Adds savory depth and aromatic flavor that enhances the cream sauce without overpowering it.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce, creating a creamy, cohesive base that coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
• Heavy Cream: Provides richness and body, giving the casserole its signature creamy, comforting texture.
• Chipotle Lime Ranch: Adds tangy ranch flavor with a subtle smoky kick, balancing the richness of the cheese and cream.
• Salt and Pepper: Enhance and balance all the flavors, ensuring the dish doesn’t taste flat.
• Chicken: Adds hearty protein and makes the casserole filling and satisfying.
• Small Shells Pasta: Holds onto the creamy sauce thanks to its shape, delivering flavor in every bite.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts smoothly and creates that stretchy, gooey texture everyone loves.
• Cheddar Cheese: Adds sharp, bold flavor that balances the creaminess of the sauce.
• Bacon: Brings smoky, salty crunch that contrasts perfectly with the creamy casserole.
• Parsley: Adds a fresh pop of color and a light herbal finish to balance the richness.

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You’ve roasted the turkey, enjoyed the feast, and now you’ve got leftovers — the best part, right? This creamy turkey tetrazzini recipe is the ultimate way to turn that extra turkey into a cozy, family-favorite dinner.

This dish is everything you love about comfort food — tender noodles coated in a rich, cheesy sauce, bits of juicy turkey in every bite, and a perfectly golden topping. It’s easy to make, reheats beautifully, and honestly tastes even better the next day.

Whether you’re using leftover Thanksgiving turkey or rotisserie chicken, this easy turkey tetrazzini comes together in just a few simple steps. No fancy ingredients or complicated techniques — just real, creamy, delicious food that makes everyone at the table happy.

As I was finishing off the recipe I felt like it needed a little crunch on top, much like a perfect macaroni and cheese with a breading. I remembered that we had these Honey Dijon chips in our storage room so on a whim I ran down, grabbed the bag and crushed them up.

Dear sweet mercy, it was perfection!!

This post is sponsored by Kettle Brand.

Why You’ll Love This Turkey Tetrazzini Recipe

• Creamy, rich sauce without being heavy
• The perfect use for leftover Thanksgiving turkey
• Family-friendly comfort food
• Simple ingredients, easy prep

What is Turkey Tetrazzini?

Tetrazzini is an American main dish with diced poultry (yes you could use chicken as well) and mushroom in a butter/cream and parmesan sauce. It is served hot over linguine, spaghetti, or some similarly thin pasta, garnished with parsley.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this best turkey tetrazzini recipe has a job to do! Here’s a quick look at what each one adds…

• Spaghetti: The base of the dish that holds the creamy sauce and gives that classic, comforting texture.
• Turkey: Adds hearty protein and mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing to build flavor and prevent sticking.
• Button Mushrooms: Add earthy, savory depth and balance the richness of the sauce.
• Garlic Cloves: Infuse the sauce with delicious, aromatic flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and forms the base of the creamy sauce.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce when combined with butter to make a roux.
• Chicken Broth: Thins the sauce slightly and adds savory depth.
• Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Adds flavor and subtle heat.
• Heavy Cream: Adds richness and makes the sauce extra velvety.
• Milk: Creates a smooth, creamy texture an

Cheesy Cream Cheese Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you’re craving a creamy and indulgent chicken casserole, then this cheesy chicken and rice casserole is a must-try! Made with juicy chicken, fluffy rice and lots of cheese, it’s a family favorite!

Growing up my mom made, and still does make, the best casseroles. I don’t care that it’s 2025 and people are worried more about kale pureed into overnight oats, casseroles feel like home and I’m always a fan of an easy chicken and rice recipe for dinner. We call this one angel chicken casserole in our house and it’s based off of two recipes, the crockpot chicken and rice recipe and Mom’s famous Busy Day Casserole recipe.

Typical angel chicken is a creamy sauce with chicken served over angel hair pasta, but I decided to transform the flavorful saucy chicken into a casserole by combining it with rice. It is total comfort food and full of delicious homey flavors! It’s called “angel chicken” for a reason…it tastes like heaven!

Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken and Rice Casserole

If you have some leftover chicken or bought a rotisserie chicken at Costco but aren’t sure how to use it, this recipe is a great option. You only need a few pantry staples to make this hearty and irresistible casserole recipe:

• Cream Cheese: I recommend using full fat or possibly 1/3 less fat but avoid fat free for the best texture and flavor.
• Butter: adds richness and flavor
• Cooked Chicken: diced or shredded (I use rotisserie from Costco)
• Cooked Rice: I use 1/3 wild rice and the rest white rice.
• Cream of Chicken Soup: I use my homemade recipe, but feel free to use a can of condensed soup if you want.
  • NOTE: You can swap for cream of mushroom soup or cream of celery soup if needed.
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Good Seasons Dry Italian Dressing Mix: You can find this at the grocery store on the salad dressing aisle next to the other salad dressing packets.
• Chicken Broth: helps keep the casserole moist as it bakes
• Colby Jack Cheese: Some goes in the casserole and the rest gets sprinkled on top for extra cheesiness.
• Salt and Pepper: adds flavor
• Fresh Parsley: Don’t skip this! This is a creamy, cheesy and rich dish and the parsley adds the tiniest bit of brightness I think the casserole needs.

The measurements needed for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Healthy Harvest Chicken Casserole

Healthy Harvest Chicken Casserole is a comforting and nutritious dish that combines tender, lean chicken with an array of colorful vegetables, wild rice, and a light, creamy honey mustard sauce.

This casserole recipe was inspired by a salad I had a few years ago up in Park City, UT. I haven’t been able to get the flavors out of my head since, so I converted it into a casserole and I’m obsessed!

This hearty casserole offers a wholesome balance of flavors, from the savory chicken to the sweetness of seasonal vegetables. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it’s a satisfying meal that the whole family will enjoy!

Ingredients for Healthy Harvest Chicken Casserole

There is nothing complicated about the ingredients for this healthy chicken recipe. You’ll need a few seasonal vegetables and some seasonings. Here is everything you’ll need:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: used to sauté the potatoes and vegetables
• Sweet Potatoes: adds heartiness and a touch of sweetness to the dish
• Brussels Sprouts: If you aren’t a brussel sprouts fan, use broccoli instead.
• Red Onion: adds flavor
• Garlic: adds flavor
• Chicken Broth: helps cook all the vegetables and chicken completely
• Seasonings: Dried Thyme, Cumin, Smoked Paprika, Kosher Salt and Pepper
• Chicken Breasts: use boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Honey Mustard Dressing: adds flavor, moisture
• Wild Rice: I love the flavor of wild rice with the recipe, but you can use any type of rice you like.
• Toppings: Sliced Almonds, Pepitas and Dried Cranberries (all optional but I love the texture and flavors they add)

The measurements for each ingredient can be found in the recipe card at the end of the post.

How to Make Harvest Chicken Casserole

This delicious casserole is packed with protein and healthy vegetables, making it the perfect meal for a cozy night in. Here are the steps for making it…

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350℉.
2. Sauté: Heat a large skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat then add the oil. Add the sweet potatoes, brussels and red onion and season them with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes and then reduce the heat to medium. Once everything starts browning, add the garlic and cookie it for 30 seconds.
3. Cook the Vegetables: Add half of the chicken and all the seasonings and stir everything together. Cover the pot and cook for 5 minutes then place in a casserole dish.
4. Cook the Chicken: Return the heat to medium-high, add a little oil to the

Easy Pizza Casserole Dinner

This delicious and simple pizza casserole is the perfect weeknight dinner solution. Made with layers of pasta, pizza sauce, pepperoni, cheese, and your choice of toppings, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

This is an emergency post. We’ve had a pizza casserole recipe on the blog since it first began, almost 17 years ago. Until now. I went to pull it up for dinner one night a few weeks ago and it was gone. Where did the pizza casserole recipe disappear to?!

I still have no idea what happened, but thankfully I still had the recipe with one change, we ONLY use our homemade pizza sauce. You’ll have to trust me on this one, it totally transforms the dish from good to amazing.

Every time I ask my kids for dinner ideas, they always say pizza…every single time. I love pizza as much as the next person (four cheese margherita pizza, pizzeria pizza dough, pesto pepperoni and sausage pizza), but homemade pizza takes time and planning ahead. Let me be honest, sometimes I’m not that on the ball. Pizza pasta casserole to the recipe! It tastes like you are eating pizza but it’s on the table from start to finish in less than an hour.

What is Needed to Make Pizza Casserole?

If you’re looking for a delicious and quick weeknight meal, this easy pizza casserole dinner is a recipe that the whole family will love. With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time! Here is everything you’ll need…

• Ground Beef: We used 85/15 which I recommend for the best flavor.
  • PRO TIP: You can use just ground beef or just sausage, but I found that the combination of both meats provided a depth of flavor that was so tasty. Ground beef is also so kid-friendly!
• Mild Italian Sausage: Adds that signature meat lovers pizza flavor.
• Homemade Pizza Sauce: You really have to try this homemade pizza sauce in this recipe, but if you don’t have the time, buy a good quality store-bought sauce.
• Pasta: We use rigatoni but any pasta will work fine. I’d recommend a big hearty noodle for the best texture.
• Mozzarella: The best melty cheese for pizza.
• Pepperoni: any brand of pre-sliced pepperoni works great
• Parmesan Cheese: adds bold pizza flavor
• Sliced Black Olives: totally optional but I love olives so they are a must for me
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