A from-scratch cheese sauce (or a favorite shortcut version) is tossed with chicken and pasta, and bake until bubbly.
Serve this cozy spaghetti casserole with a side of homemade garlic bread and salad for the perfect meal!
A Family Favorite Casserole
This chicken spaghetti recipe is a family favorite and the ultimate comfort food.
- The sauce can be made from scratch but I’ve included a shortcut sauce for busy days.
- It uses simple ingredients you likely have on hand.
Ingredients for Chicken Spaghetti
- Pasta: I use spaghetti noodles, but you can use other varieties of pasta. Be sure to cook it al dente (firm) so it doesn’t overcook as the casserole bakes.
- Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken or leftovers you can also make baked chicken breasts to enjoy in this recipe.
- Vegetables: Onion, garlic, and bell pepper add flavor, while canned diced tomatoes (or Rotel) add a bit of freshness.
- Chicken Broth: This is the base of the sauce, but it also adds flavor—if using low-sodium, you may like to add extra salt.
- Half and Half: Half and half makes the sauce rich and creamy without being too heavy.
- Cheese: Both cheddar cheese and Parmesan add flavor to the cheese sauce. Pre-shredded cheese works well in this recipe.
How to Make Chicken Spaghetti
This is an easy chicken spaghetti recipe:
- Boil the spaghetti until al dente
- Prepare the cream sauce (per the recipe below) and cook until thick and bubbly. Remove from the heat and add in the cheese.
- Combine the pasta, chicken, and diced tomatoes in a greased casserole dish.
- Top with more cheese and bake until bubbly!
- Allow the baked chicken spaghetti to rest for five minutes to help the sauce thicken.
Leftovers & Meal Prep
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Chicken spaghetti freezes very well and can be frozen before baking for up to four months.
To bake from frozen, cover with aluminum foil to prevent the cheese topping from overcooking and bake at 375°F for about an hour, or until it is piping hot throughout!
More Family Favorite Casserole Recipes
Homemade Chicken Spaghetti
This easy cheesy Chicken Spaghetti casserole combines tender chicken and spaghetti in a homemade cheese sauce!
For the Sauce
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
-
Cook the spaghetti al dente in a large pot salted water according to package directions. Drain well, do not rinse.
-
Meanwhile, to make the sauce, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper can cook until tender. Stir in the flour and Italian seasoning and cook for 1-2 minutes.
-
Gradually add the broth and cream, a bit at a time, whisking until smooth after each addition. Bring to a boil and let boil 1 minute or until thick and bubbly.
-
Remove from heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese, 1 cup cheddar cheese, and salt and pepper.
-
Combine spaghetti, chicken, cream sauce, and canned tomatoes. Mix well. Spread in a greased 9×13 dish.
-
Top with remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Don’t overcook the pasta, it’ll cook more as it bakes.
- Pre-shredded cheese does work in this recipe but shredding your own makes for a smoother sauce.
- Sharp cheddar adds the best flavor.
Calories: 518 | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 22g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 606mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 970IU | Vitamin C: 18.6mg | Calcium: 425mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.