Description
A comforting and hearty Cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole combining tender cooked chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and tender egg noodles topped with a crispy, buttery layer of potato chips or breadcrumbs. Perfect for an easy family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 (12 oz) package egg noodles (or your favorite pasta)
Cheese Sauce
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping (Optional)
- 1/2 cup crushed potato chips or breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter (if using chips for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray or butter to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Boil the egg noodles according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, shredded mozzarella cheese, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked shredded or diced chicken along with the drained egg noodles to the cheese sauce mixture. Gently fold everything together ensuring the noodles and chicken are evenly coated with the cheese sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly in a single layer to ensure even baking.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese uniformly over the top of the casserole.
- Prepare Crispy Topping (Optional): If desired, mix the crushed potato chips with melted butter and sprinkle this crispy topping over the cheese layer. Breadcrumbs may be used as an alternative topping.
- Bake: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown, bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors meld and prevent burning.
Notes
- For a crunchier topping, use potato chips mixed with melted butter instead of breadcrumbs.
- Substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt for a healthier twist.
- Use cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Gluten-free pasta can be used to make this casserole gluten-free.
