This chicken bacon ranch casserole is loaded with juicy chicken, smoky bacon, and pasta tossed in a creamy ranch sauce. Top it with cheese and you’ll be obsessed!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole Video
How To Make a Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Do you have 30 minutes and a few basic ingredients? That’s all it takes to pull together this mouthwatering casserole.
- Prepare the oven and baking dish: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or butter a 9×13 inch casserole dish or 12 inch round baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Make the sauce: Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Alfredo sauce and ranch dressing and bring the mixture to a light boil. Add the cooked chicken and bacon and mix to combine.
- Assemble the casserole: Toss the cooked pasta and Alfredo sauce mixture together. Transfer it into the baking dish and top with cheese.
- Bake the casserole: Bake the casserole uncovered for about 20 minutes until heated through and bubbly. Enjoy!
Hot tip: Skip the additives in canned Alfredo sauce by making your own. It’s creamy, delicious, and takes this casserole to the next level!
Tips For an Irresistible Casserole
This chicken bacon ranch casserole recipe is irresistibly good as-is, but we have a few tips to ensure it’s a keeper in your book. Above all, pay attention to the quality of ingredients for the best casserole.
- Use homemade cooked chicken and bacon. Sure, you can use the meat from a leftover rotisserie chicken. But why not savor the homemade taste of a spatchcock chicken, air fryer chicken thighs, or air fryer chicken breast? Cook your own bacon using the air fryer method or oven method for even more control over the taste.
- Make homemade Alfredo sauce. Yes, it’s an extra step but the flavor difference is worth it! Homemade Alfredo sauce simply can’t be beat.
- Try a combo of cheeses. Play around with the flavors by using a combo of Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, cheddar, Gruyere, and/or mozzarella cheese.
- Shred the cheese yourself. It only takes a couple of minutes! Avoid pre-shredded cheese, which often contain starches that inhibit melting.
- Season to taste. There’s no need to add salt because the Alfredo, ranch, cheese, and bacon are already salty. However, amp up the flavor with freshly ground black pepper or garlic powder.
- Add veggies. For extra nutrition, stir in your favorite veggies. Try diced tomatoes, broccoli, onions, peppers, or asparagus.
- Top with fresh herbs. This casserole is rich and indulgent — so add a refreshing flavor with a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley, chives, or green onions once the casserole is baked.
Make Ahead
Are you hosting dinner or prepping for a busy week ahead? Save time by making this chicken bacon ranch casserole in advance. Assemble the casserole the night before, then cover and refrigerate. The next day, bake the casserole at 350°F for 40-45 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Hot tip: Because of the overnight rest in the fridge, a made-ahead casserole takes about twice as long to bake than one that is assembled and baked on the same day.
Ways To Serve
A chicken bacon ranch casserole is a superb choice for lunch or dinner. Serve it hot and fresh out of the oven with a sprinkle of fresh herbs, then dig in! This casserole may steal the show, but it doesn’t hurt to offer a few sides. Enjoy an ultimate garden salad, grilled zucchini and squash, or a Mediterranean chickpea salad to complete the meal.
Storage & Reheating
Consider yourself lucky if you have leftovers of this casserole — that’s how good it is! Adhere to these storage and reheating guidelines, and you’ll be feasting again soon.
- Storage: Store leftover chicken casserole in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. We don’t recommend freezing, as the cream-based sauce may separate.
- Reheating: For the best results, bring the leftover casserole to room temperature before reheating. Then, place it in a baking dish covered with aluminum foil and reheat in the oven at 350°F for 10-20 minutes. If you’re in a pinch for time, reheating the casserole on a skillet or in the microwave also works.
More Casserole Recipes
- Zucchini Bake — A trio of veggies baked in a cheesy egg mixture
- Bratwurst Casserole — Crispy sautéed veggies and sausages topped with cheese
- Baked Chicken Alfredo — Unlike traditional alfredo pasta, this dish can be prepped in advance!
- Hashbrown Breakfast Casserole — Breakfast sausage, hashbrowns, and veggies loaded into a baked egg custard
- Philly Cheesesteak Casserole — All the components of a classic Philly cheesesteak baked in a skillet
Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
- 1 tbsp Ranch dressing
- 3 cups cooked chicken chopped
- 8 slices bacon cooked and chopped
- 2 cups Colby Jack cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or butter a 9×13 inch casserole dish or 12 inch round baking dish. Set aside.
- Cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, set a large skillet over medium heat. Add the Alfredo sauce and ranch dressing and bring to a light boil. Add the cooked chicken and bacon and mix to combine.
- Toss the cooked pasta and Alfredo sauce mixture together. Transfer it into the baking dish and top with cheese.
- Bake the casserole uncovered for about 20 minutes until heated through and bubbly. Enjoy!
Easy and delicious! Kids approve and request it on a regular basis 👍🏻👌 Love to add a bit of broccoli florets too)
That's great, Olga! I love it when I get comments that kids love my recipes! Broccoli is a great addition - I would try diced tomatoes, peppers, or mushrooms too if you like!