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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Italian sliders are the perfect party dish for a Super Bowl get together! You start with slider buns and layer them with Italian deli meats like salami, pepperoni, and ham, then add melted provolone cheese.

For extra flavor, you drizzle some garlic parmesan sauce on top, then bake them until golden and crispy. To finish, load them up with your favorite sandwiches toppings like lettuce, tomatoes, pepperoncinis and black olives mixed with a creamy Italian dressing. These sliders are delicious, easy to assemble, and perfect for a crowd!

I’m going to fail you all a bit when it comes to the Super Bowl…we don’t watch it. It hasn’t always been easy, and it was an important decision for our family to not watch the Super Bowl. I know, don’t hate me, but Sunday is our one day set aside for our family and religion. However, we still enjoy a lot of good food (check out our Super Bowl Food Recipe Roundup for more ideas!), so I really wanted to step up a bit and provide our readers with more options for the big day. Food is everything for a football gathering, am I RIGHT?!

I decided to take a nod from our famous ham and cheese sliders and make a new version. Because of my love of chopped salads and the goodness of Italian delis I decided to jump into a fresh version of baked sliders.

Prepare to have your life changed by this Elote Mexican Street Corn Queso Dip Recipe! Inspired by Mexican grilled corn, my mix of Mexican cheeses, jalapeño, and sweet corn makes the most delicious party dip for the Super Bowl, Cinco de Mayo, family parties, and more. This Mexican street corn dip is one of my most popular recipes and my go-to cheese dip for parties.

This Elote dip recipe is easy, cheesy, and so satisfying! The secret to perfect queso is in how you prepare the grated cheese and it’s such a simple step you’ll never have clumpy queso again!

I first discovered elote when the movie Nacho Libre came out. I was instantly intrigued by that creamy, cheesy corn on a stick because it looked utterly irresistible. Since then, elote has grown in popularity, and I have loved experimenting with it at home.

One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is by turning it into a gooey queso dip, which is just as addictive, easy to share, packed with flavor, and perfect for taco nights or casual gatherings. Every time I make it, I am transported back to that first “aha” moment, and it has now become a beloved staple in my kitchen.

When served off the cob, this dish is called esquites. In Mexico, it is a popular street food featuring sweet corn kernels coated in a creamy, cheesy, and slightly spicy sauce. This queso recipe is my take on esquites, capturing all the bold, comforting flavors in a warm, shareable dip.

Ingredients For Elote Queso Dip Recipe

This queso is all about simple ingredients that pack a ton of flavor. Sweet corn, melty cheeses, and a little bit of spice come together to make a dip that everyone will want to scoop up. Grab everything you need, and get ready for cheesy, gooey, elote-inspired goodness.

Base & Sauce

• Butter: melted with oil to start the queso
• Vegetable Oil: pairs with butter for sautéing
• Jalapeño: adds heat and flavor when sautéed
• Cornstarch: coats the cheese to help thicken the sauce
• Evaporated Milk: creates a creamy, smooth base
• Sharp Cheddar Cheese: gives sharp, bold flavor
• Chihuahua Cheese: melts beautifully for authentic queso texture
• Monterey Jack Cheese: adds creaminess and stretch
• Salt: seasons the queso
• Corn: stirred into the queso and sprinkled on top

Garnishes & Serving

• Mexican Crema: drizzled over the top for richness
• Cilantro Leaves: fresh herb garnish

A one-skillet dinner that’s healthy, easy AND flavorful?! That’s right, this cheesy chicken, sweet potato and kale skillet meal is nutritious and delicious, just the way a busy weeknight meal should be!

Easily one of my go-to meals lately, my savory chicken and sweet potato recipe is packed with kale, veggies and protein.

There’s a lot of talk about perimenopause lately, so I wanted to create a dish that is not only perfect for busy families, but also something to help support those feeling like they might be entering perimenopause in their 30s and 40s. Heck, it’s a great recipe for menopause too! I love how healthy and balanced this meal is!

Ingredients for Healthy Chicken and Sweet Potato Skillet

• Chicken Breasts: Main protein; provides heartiness, structure, and a mild flavor that carries the spices.
• Salt and Pepper: Core seasonings; salt enhances natural flavors, while pepper adds gentle heat and balance.
• Smoked Paprika: Adds smoky depth and warmth without spiciness, complementing the bacon and sweet potatoes.
• Red Pepper Flakes: Brings a touch of heat to brighten the dish and balance the sweetness of the potato.
• Bacon: Adds savory richness, smokiness, and a crisp texture that contrasts with tender chicken and vegetables.
• Olive Oil: Used for sautéing; carries flavors, prevents sticking, and adds a subtle fruitiness.
• Garlic: Infuses the skillet with aromatic depth, boosting the savory base of the dish.
• Sweet Potato: Adds natural sweetness, creaminess, and substance, balancing the spice and savory flavors.
• Chicken Broth: Keeps the skillet moist, helps cook the sweet potatoes, and builds a flavorful base.
• Kale: Provides a slightly bitter, earthy contrast, plus color, texture, and nutrients.
• Lemon: Adds brightness and acidity at the end, cutting through richness and making flavors pop.
• Parmesan: Adds a salty, nutty finish that melts into the skillet for extra umami and richness.

How to Make Chicken Kale Skillet

1. Prep the Chicken: Cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and season with all the seasonings.
2. Cook the Bacon: Cook the chopped bacon in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Remove to a plate.

If you’ve ever found yourself craving that tender, flavorful Cafe Rio shredded chicken, you’re in the right place! This slow cooker recipe makes it easy to have those bold, zesty flavors right at home—without the takeout line. It’s family-friendly, perfect for meal prep, and honestly one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd.

This chicken dinner recipe is one of those life saver crock pot (slow cooker) recipes. I love that you can throw everything together in less than 5 minutes, let it cook all day and then feel like a hero as you serve it to your family for dinner.

Why You’ll Love This Cafe Rio Chicken

• Hands-off crock pot recipe – take 5 minutes to throw all the ingredients in the crockpot, set it and walk away
• Just a few pantry ingredients – only 5 ingredients needed!
• Freezer-friendly & great for meal prep – freeze for another meal or eat it throughout the week
• Works in tacos, burritos, salads, and more – so versatile!
• Copycat flavor at a fraction of the price – restaurant prices are insane these days, so I try to make more restaurant copycats at home
• Great for a crowd or to share with a neighbor – It’s a great dinner idea to take to someone who may need a family friendly meal.

Ingredients for Slow Cooker Cafe Rio Chicken

You only need 5 ingredients to make this delicious chicken recipe! And you literally toss it all in the slow cooker let it cook. Here is the ingredients list:

• Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing: Acts as the flavorful marinade base. The vinegar tenderizes the chicken while the herbs and spices infuse it with that bold, tangy punch Cafe Rio chicken is known for. Avoid the fat free dressing.
• Cumin: Adds a warm, earthy depth and a hint of smokiness that balances the tangy dressing.
• Chili Powder: Brings mild heat and layers of chili pepper flavor, making the chicken savory and robust without being overly spicy.
• Garlic: Boosts the savory notes and gives the chicken that aromatic, crave-worthy flavor.
• Chicken Breasts: The protein star of the recipe; they soak up all the marinade flavors and shred beautifully after slow cooking, just like Cafe Rio’s signature chicken.
• Creamy Tomatillo Cilantro Ranch Dressing: The famous Cafe Rio sauce! Creamy, tangy, and fresh, it ties everything together when drizzled over salads, tacos, or burritos.
• Cilantro Lime Rice: The perfect base. Light, fluffy, and bright from the lime and cilantro, it balances the richness of the chicken and dressing, just like at the res