Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake
Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake is a simple pasta recipe bursting with creamy ranch flavor. This recipe is easy and delicious!
I believe I created my family’s favorite new dinner with this Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake recipe! This amazing pasta casserole is bursting with flavor from the chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning and mozzarella cheese!
My kids adore a good pasta dish and this one knocked their socks right off. 😉 This pasta bake comes together quickly, so it is great for those busy weeknights when we need something simple yet delicious on the dinner table.
The homemade creamy ranch sauce coats the pasta perfectly and ensures lots of flavor in every single bite. While the creamy ranch sauce was cooking, I coated the chicken pieces in ranch seasoning and sautéed them in a non-stick skillet. I let them get really golden-brown and it added lots of extra flavor. It ends up leaving this pasta dish all the more delicious.
I served our Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake with a green side salad and we all enjoyed every single bite. There was only one serving left for dinner the next night, so Kelsey and I had to fight over who got it. haha. Since I’m a nice Momma I let her have it, and she was pretty grateful. 😉
MORE DELICIOUS PASTA RECIPES YOU MAY LIKE:
Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Penne
Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 10 ounces dried penne pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in 1-inch pieces
- 1 Tablespoon ranch seasoning/dressing mix
Ranch Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons salted butter
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning/dressing mix
- 1/2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese
- 4 slices cooked bacon chopped
- fresh chopped parsley optional
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook penne pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
- Season chicken pieces with ranch seasoning. Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray.
- Cook chicken in prepared skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink in center; about 10 to 12 minutes. Carefully transfer cooked chicken to a large plate. Tent with foil to keep warm. Carefully wipe skillet clean so you can cook the sauce in it.
Ranch Sauce
- Add butter to skillet and melt it over medium heat. Once melted, add garlic and stir until fragrant; about 1 minute. Whisk in ranch seasoning and flour. Cook for 30 seconds whisking constantly. Slowly whisk in heavy whipping cream. Continue to cook and stir for one minute or until mixture starts to boil. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until it completely melts. Season sauce with pepper.
- Add drained cooked pasta and cooked chicken to ranch sauce in skillet. Stir to combine. Pour into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Toppings
- Top evenly with mozzarella cheese and chopped bacon. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F. oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
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Made this the other night but obviously added more bacon — cause… BAcon! I love that I didn’t have to make a ton of bacon but because it was just as a topping and not stirred in, you could taste it in every bite. Absolutely delicious and will definitely keep this on our regular rotation.
Made this dish last night. Absolutely fabulous! Only thing I did differently was to add diced onion that I sauteed in the bacon grease. Really yummy.
Added some sauteed spinach to this perfect recipe. We also make it with shrimp instead. This is my daughter’s favorite pasta dish!
Holly, in #26, your response to Christen, you stated that this could be made up to the point of baking and then freeze. But may want to make extra sauce to serve with it when you do bake it. Can you tell me if the extra sauce could be made ahead and frozen as well? Making freezer meals for a new mom.
Hi Rhonda! Yes, you can make extra sauce ahead of time and freeze it. You’ll want to thaw it in the fridge first, then microwave or heat it on the stovetop before eating. 🙂
Great! Thank you!
I am consIdering making this for company. Does fresh basil work in this reCipe? Can i make it a day Or two ahead Of time?
You can make this one day in advance and bake before serving!
Not sure why you need flour in this recipe. Hwc is thick enough by itself. I skipped the flour, and it was creamy and delicious!
This is DELICIOUS!! I modified just a little. I didn’t use bacon. Instead of the pasta called for in the recipe, I used a 19 oz bag of tortellini. Will be a household staple from now on!
This was so good and so easy to make! I will have to double it next time if both 18 year old boys are home because it went super quick with just one of the kids here. DefinItely a keeper! Thanks so much for sharing!!
Delicious, easy weeknight meal. Added spinach to the sauce for some nutrients. Thanks!!
Delicious! a new family favorite!