We love a good pasta dinner! Some of our other favorites are Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, 30 Minute Cajun Pasta with Sausage and Peppers, and Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet (with Video!)
You’ll love this Easy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
I don’t know where chicken spaghetti came from in the first place, but I know I first saw it in the Pioneer Woman‘s cookbook years ago. This chicken spaghetti casserole recipe, along with her chicken pot pie recipe, were my two favorites from that book. I love a good casserole, and this isn’t the first spaghetti casserole I’ve posted on the blog. My other favorite is creatively called “spaghetti casserole” but really I think of it as a poor man’s lasagna, made with cottage cheese and spaghetti instead of ricotta and lasagna noodles. Another favorite dinner casserole that you really should try is my cheesy chicken broccoli and rice casserole. The biggest change I made to the Pioneer Woman’s original chicken spaghetti recipe was to swap out the cream of mushroom soup in favor of a homemade version. It takes very little additional time, tastes WAY better, and is better for you anyway.
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is the best make ahead meal
I love chicken spaghetti casserole because it’s such an easy recipe to make ahead and stick in the fridge or freezer until you need it. All it takes is about 15 minutes of chopping veggies, making the mushroom sauce, and mixing the casserole components together, and then it bakes in the oven until hot and bubbly. The beauty of it is that you can make the casserole a day or two in advance and it tastes just as good when you finally decide to bake it as when it was first made. Chicken spaghetti also makes a great freezer meal! You can freeze this chicken spaghetti recipe for 2 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight. It’s one of those recipes that I keep in my back pocket for taking to friends who have had babies or are dealing with family health issues because it can be ready and on hand whenever they need it. It’s honestly not a bad idea to double the recipe and make two casseroles as long as you are making one. Especially since you only need half of a green pepper and half of an onion to make one casserole. Keep one in the freezer to have on hand for a busy weeknight or give one away to a friend in need!
Best Chicken Spaghetti Recipe Ingredients
cooked chicken spaghetti noodles diced mushrooms flour butter chicken broth milk salt pepper green bell pepper pimentos (a type of jarred pepper that is sweet and mild but ½ of a chopped red bell pepper will also work) yellow onion sharp cheddar cheese
Easy Chicken Spaghetti Recipe Variations and Substitutions
There are some easy variations and substitutions you can make with this recipe. Add different vegetables if you want like green peas or diced carrots. Or take veggies out if your family doesn’t like green peppers. If you don’t have rotisserie chicken or ready to go chicken, canned chicken may be used. Or you can also use a seasoned chicken like a BBQ chicken. You could also use 2 cans of cream of chicken soup or cream of mushroom soup in place of the homemade sauce (but a homemade sauce is SO MUCH better!).
How to Make Chicken Spaghetti
What to serve with Chicken Spaghetti Bake
A good side salad will be delicious. Roasted veggies like broccoli, green beans, zucchini, brussel sprouts, or asparagus make great sides. Garlic bread or no-knead artisan bread or even a delicious fruit or jello salad would also be a fun addition.
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole make ahead and storage directions
How to prepare this Chicken Spaghetti Recipe in advance
The beauty of this casserole is it can be made ahead and stored in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Prepare the casserole, cover the dish and stick in the fridge. It tastes just as good when you finally decide to bake as when it was first made!
Can you freeze Chicken Spaghetti?
Yes! I love chicken spaghetti casserole because it’s such an easy recipe to make ahead and stick in the fridge or freezer until you need it. Assemble the casserole, then cover tightly with foil and freeze. You can freeze this chicken spaghetti recipe for 2 months, then thaw in the fridge overnight.
How to reheat Chicken Spaghetti Bake
Thaw in the fridge overnight. When ready to use, then pull out and set on the counter while the oven preheats for about 15 minutes. Bake as directed above until hot all the way through. If the casserole is not thawed, you will need to increase baking time.
More Recipes for Pasta Lovers
One Pot Bruschetta Chicken Pasta Homemade Hamburger Helper Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Angel Hair Pasta with Shrimp, Tomatoes and Fresh Basil BLT Pasta Salad Roasted Red Pepper Sauce White Chicken Spinach Lasagna The Best Spaghetti and Meatballs Recipe
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