Looking for easy cheesy chicken casserole that is creamy, cheesy, filling, and perfect for the whole family? This easy cheesy chicken casserole is a comforting homemade recipe made of tender chicken, vegetables, creamy sauce, and lots of melted cheese.
Everything is baked together in one dish, making this casserole incredibly easy to prepare.
The top is golden and bubbly on the surface while the inside is creamy and cheesy.
This chicken casserole is great for your family, can be made ahead of time, or is perfect for an easy weekday dinner.
Why you will love this chicken casserole
Creamy and cheesy
Easy to make
Made of everyday ingredients
Great for families
Can be made ahead of time
Easily customized with different vegetables
Great for leftovers
Nice with salad, bread, or roasted vegetables
Ingredients
For the chicken casserole
2 cups (about 300 g) cooked chicken, shredded or diced
3 cups cooked pasta, such as penne, fusilli or macaroni
1 tbsp olive oil or butter
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup mixed vegetables, such as peas, carrots, and corn
1 can (10.5 oz / 298 g) cream of chicken soup
½ cup (120 ml) milk
½ cup (120 ml) sour cream
1 tsp dried Italian seasoning
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp salt, or to taste
¼ tsp black pepper
1½ cups (150 g) shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup (50 g) shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Toppings
2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs
Fresh parsley, chopped
Extra shredded cheese
Equipment you will need
Large mixing bowl
Large skillet
9×13-inch baking dish
wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Aluminum foil
How to make chicken casserole
1. Preheat the oven and prepare the dish
Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray and set it aside.
Preparing the dish in advance is important to make your life easier when assembling the casserole.
2. Shred the chicken if needed
If you are using leftover or already cooked chicken, shred or dice it into bite-sized pieces.
You can use roasted chicken, poached chicken, or simply cook your chicken breasts for this recipe, so make sure you have cooked chicken.
3. Cook the pasta
Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but stop cooking it 1-2 minutes earlier than indicated.
Drain the cooked pasta well.
It is a good idea to slightly undercook the pasta for the casserole since it will finish cooking in the oven, ensuring perfect al dente pasta.
4. Cook the onion and garlic
Heat the olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes or until soft.
Add the garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, making sure not to brown the garlic.
Garlic burns easily, so it is important to keep an eye on it.
5. Make the creamy sauce
Lower the heat to low and add the soup, milk, and sour cream to the skillet.
Stir until you get a smooth creamy sauce.
Add the Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if needed.
6. Add the vegetables and chicken
Add the mixed vegetables and cooked chicken to the creamy sauce.
Stir until everything is evenly combined.
If you are using frozen vegetables, they can usually be used straight from the package (if not in big chunks), but some might need to be thawed first.
7. Add the pasta
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet or mixing bowl with the chicken and vegetables.
Gently stir everything until the pasta is well coated with the creamy sauce.
Do not stir vigorously to avoid breaking the pasta.
8. Add the cheese
Stir approximately 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese into the casserole mixture.
The cheese will melt into the creamy sauce, adding more flavor to the casserole.
Save the remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese for the topping.
9. Assemble the casserole
Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly.
Add the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese on top.
For extra crispiness, mix breadcrumbs with grated Parmesan cheese and add them on top of the cheese layer.
10. Bake the casserole
Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted and the edges are bubbling.
If you want the top to be extra crispy and golden, you can place the casserole under the broiler for the last 1-2 minutes, but make sure to watch it not to burn.
11. Let it rest
Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving.
This will allow the creamy sauce to set slightly, making the casserole easier to serve.
You can also garnish the casserole with fresh parsley if you like.
Expert tips for the best chicken casserole
Don't overcook the pasta
Pasta that is too soft will turn out mushy in the oven, so undercooking the pasta by about 1-2 minutes is a good idea.
Use freshly shredded cheese
Freshly shredded cheese usually melts better than many pre-shredded cheeses, as some cheeses have anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly.
Don't make the sauce too thick
The sauce should be just right before you bake the casserole, as the pasta will absorb some of the liquid while it cooks.
Season in layers
Make sure to taste the creamy sauce and season it well before adding the other ingredients.
Seasoning is extremely important in this casserole, as pasta and chicken can easily make it bland.
Let it rest before serving
Letting the casserole rest for a few minutes will allow the sauce to thicken slightly, without it becoming dry.
Easy ingredient substitutions
Chicken
You can use any type of cooked chicken you like instead of the shredded chicken in this recipe.
Some good options include:
Turkey
Rotisserie chicken
Leftover roasted chicken
Shredded chicken thighs
Pasta
This recipe works best with short pasta shapes, but you can use almost any type of pasta you like.
Some good options include:
Penne
Rotini
Fusilli
Macaroni
Shells
Vegetables
You can use almost any type of vegetables you like in this casserole.
Some good options include:
Broccoli
Peas
Corn
Carrots
Bell peppers
Mushrooms
Spinach
Cheese
Cheese like cheddar can be combined or substituted with:
Monterey Jack
Colby
Mozzarella
Gouda
Parmesan
Using two different types of cheese is a good way to get the creamy melting goodness of one type of cheese and the crispy golden topping of another.
Can I make chicken casserole ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time (just don't bake it).
Store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking it.
When you are ready to bake the casserole, simply take it out of the fridge while the oven is preheating (it might need a few extra minutes in the oven).
Avoid leaving the casserole at room temperature for too long.
How to store leftovers
Make sure to cool the casserole before storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
The casserole will stay fresh for 3-4 days in the fridge.
When you want to eat the casserole again, you can reheat individual portions in the microwave or large portions in the oven until heated through.
If the casserole seems dry when you reheat it, you can add a splash of milk to it before reheating.
Can you freeze chicken casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the casserole.
Make sure it has cooled down completely before transferring it to a freezer-safe container or wrapping the baking dish tightly.
You can keep the casserole in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Make sure to thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight before reheating it.
If you are making the casserole specifically for freezing, you could slightly undercook the pasta to prevent it from becoming too soft when you reheat it.
What to serve with chicken casserole
The chicken casserole is hearty on its own, but it is nice to serve it with some light side dishes to balance it out.
Some good sides to serve with the casserole include:
Green salad
Steamed broccoli
Roasted vegetables
Garlic bread
Dinner rolls
Cucumber salad
Fresh fruit
A simple green salad with a light dressing is a good choice to serve with the casserole, as it will complement the creaminess casserole.
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes, you can use rotisserie chicken in this casserole.
It is a great option as it is super juicy and flavorful.
Make sure to remove the skin and bones before shredding the meat.
Can I make this casserole without cream of chicken soup?
Yes, you can.
You can make a white sauce with butter, flour, milk, and seasonings.
This is a great option if you want to make everything from scratch.
Why is my casserole dry?
Make sure you have enough creamy sauce in the casserole.
Too much moisture can be lost during the baking process, so making sure there is enough sauce to coat the pasta before you put it in the oven is a good idea.
Why is my pasta mushy?
Make sure you didn't overcook the pasta before adding it to the oven.
To avoid mushy pasta, cook it 1-2 minutes less than instructed in the package.
Can I make this casserole spicy?
Sure, you can.
Add crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, cayenne pepper, or a dash of hot sauce to the creamy mixture.
Recipe at a glance
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 30-35 minutes
Total: About 55 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Difficulty: Easy
Cuisine: American-inspired comfort food
Final thoughts
This easy cheesy chicken casserole is the type of dish that makes weeknight dinners so much easier.
Tender chicken combined with pasta, vegetables, creamy sauce, and melted cheese creates a dish the whole family will love.
The easy recipe is also highly customizable, so you can use different vegetables, cheese, pasta, and seasonings as you like based on what you have at home.
Serve the chicken casserole with a salad or garlic bread while it is still warm and you will have a comforting homemade dinner the whole family will enjoy.
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