Thursday, June 7, 2018

Chicken-Bacon-Ranch Baked Penne

This delicious casserole is filled with all things comforting. Penne pasta, creamy Alfredo, lots of gooey cheese and bacon. Yep, bacon. That should be enough said right there. But I can’t leave out the chicken and ranch flavor because they really bring the whole thing together. This pasta casserole is really amazing and my kids ate it in about 1 minute flat.


Ingredients:


  • 1 lb penne pasta, cooked and drained
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
  • 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce
  • 1/2 cup ranch dressing
  • 6 slices chopped cooked bacon
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz)
  • Chopped parsley, if desired

Instructions:



  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease or spray 13x9-inch pan.
  2. In large bowl, place 1 lb cooked and drained penne pasta, 2 cups shredded cooked chicken, 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo pasta sauce and 1/2 cup ranch dressing. Stir to combine. Pour mixture in pan; spread evenly.
  3. Sprinkle 6 slices chopped cooked bacon evenly over top, then sprinkle with 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (8 oz).
  4. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with chopped parsley.


Notes:


  • That optional sprinkle of chopped parsley adds not only bright color but also a fresh taste—don’t skimp on the amount you use.
  • No leftover chicken? Buy a rotisserie chicken—a 2 lb. bird will give you about 3 cups of meat.
  • Use Cheddar cheese instead of mozzarella for a more cheesy flavor.
  • Other short pastas, like fusilli or rotini, work equally well, making the casserole easy to scoop up to serve.