Print

Creamy Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake

creamy ranch chicken pasta bake - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy comfort meal featuring tender chicken, cheesy pasta, and a creamy ranch sauce baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great)
  • 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta, cooked al dente
  • 1 cup ranch dressing
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (can substitute with Greek yogurt)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces penne pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the onion and garlic mixture. Stir constantly for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
  5. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup milk, stirring to avoid lumps. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
  6. Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup ranch dressing and 1/2 cup sour cream until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  7. In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and creamy sauce mixture until well coated.
  8. Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
  10. Let the pasta bake rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives if desired.

Notes

If sauce is too thick before baking, add a splash more milk to loosen it. Cook raw chicken fully before mixing if not using pre-cooked. Tent with foil if cheese browns too quickly. Use gluten-free pasta and flour for gluten-free adaptation. Dairy-free ranch and sour cream substitutes can be used for dairy-free version.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy ranch chicken pasta bake, comfort food, easy dinner, cheesy pasta bake, ranch dressing recipe

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/creamy-ranch-chicken-pasta-bake-recipe-easy-comfort-meal-idea/