Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
If you’re craving something irresistibly creamy, satisfying, and just downright comforting, you cannot miss this Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe. Juicy bites of chicken, swirls of tender pasta, smoky bacon, and gooey cheese bake together into a bubbly, golden casserole that will earn a spot in your family’s weekly rotation. With simple ingredients and a fuss-free prep, every forkful is layered with flavor—this is the kind of dish that brings everyone running to the dinner table!

Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe plays a starring role in building crave-worthy flavor and texture. These essentials create that perfect blend of creamy, cheesy goodness with pops of freshness and crunch!
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: Using boneless breasts keeps things quick and easy, and their mild flavor soaks up all the savory goodness in this casserole.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Divided for the casserole and on top, cheddar brings sharp, melty richness and a beautiful golden finish.
- Bacon strips: Crisp, crumbled bacon adds a savory, smoky edge and a little crunch that takes this casserole over the top.
- Cream of chicken soup: This pantry favorite gives the sauce its luscious, velvety base—with unbeatable depth of flavor.
- Dried spiral pasta: Spirals (like rotini or fusilli) catch every bit of creamy sauce and cheese in their twisty ridges.
- Garlic powder: Just a teaspoon infuses every bite with warm, savory aroma and subtle bite.
- Roma tomato: Freshly chopped tomato weaves in brightness and color, balancing out all the creaminess.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for bringing all the flavors together—season each layer as you go!
- Sliced green onions: The finishing touch, adding fresh crunch and a pop of color when it comes bubbling from the oven.
How to Make Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
Step 1: Crisp and Crumble the Bacon
Start by frying your bacon strips in a large skillet over medium heat until they’re crispy and golden. Remove them from the skillet and let them cool on a paper towel, then crumble into bite-sized pieces. Reserve some for topping if you’d like extra crunch on your casserole—life’s too short to hold back on bacon!
Step 2: Sauté the Chicken
Using that same skillet, add the chicken breasts, diced into hearty, bite-sized chunks. Season with salt, pepper, and the garlic powder and cook until the pieces are just cooked through and lightly seared. Those browned bits at the bottom of the pan add priceless flavor, so scrape them up as the chicken cooks.
Step 3: Boil the Pasta
While the bacon and chicken are cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the spiral pasta according to the package instructions. Make sure to cook it just to al dente, since it will finish cooking and soak up flavor in the oven.
Step 4: Mix It All Together
Drain your pasta and return it to the pot. Add the cooked chicken, crumbled bacon (but save some for topping!), two cans of cream of chicken soup, chopped Roma tomato, and half of your shredded cheddar cheese. Give everything a generous stir until the sauce evenly coats every swirl of pasta. This is where all those delicious flavors become one!
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
Spoon the hearty mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, then sprinkle over the rest of the cheddar cheese and reserved bacon. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, or until your Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe is bubbling and beautifully golden on top.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, shower the casserole with sliced green onions for a fresh, zippy finish. Give it a few minutes to set before spooning servings onto plates—trust me, everyone will be coming back for seconds!
How to Serve Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe

Garnishes
The finishing touches make all the difference! Try a sprinkle of fresh green onions for crispness and color, or scatter finely diced tomatoes for extra freshness. A little cracked black pepper on top brings out all the wonderful savory notes in the Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe.
Side Dishes
This casserole is rich and creamy, so a crisp green salad (think arugula or romaine tossed in a tangy vinaigrette) beautifully balances each bite. Garlicky breadsticks or a simple steamed veggie like broccoli or green beans will round out your meal without stealing the spotlight.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your casserole shine by serving it in individual ramekins for a dinner party, or scoop portions onto a platter lined with fresh greens for family-style fun. You can even take the Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe outdoors for a picnic—just pack it in a thermos for unbeatable comfort on the go!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover any leftover casserole tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight container. Pop it into the fridge where it will happily keep for up to four days, staying just as creamy and flavorful for lunch or an easy dinner repeat.
Freezing
The Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe freezes like a dream! After baking and cooling, wrap well and freeze for up to three months. To keep everything tasting fresh, I recommend double-wrapping with both plastic wrap and foil, and labeling with the date.
Reheating
For best results, thaw frozen casserole in the fridge overnight. Reheat individual servings in the microwave, or cover with foil and warm larger portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until hot and bubbly again. A fresh sprinkle of cheese or green onions before serving can revive that just-baked magic!
FAQs
Can I use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking fresh chicken breasts?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds a savory, roasted flavor to your Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe. Just shred or chop the chicken and stir it in with the other casserole ingredients in place of sautéed chicken.
Can I substitute other cheeses for cheddar?
Certainly! While cheddar gives wonderful sharpness, you can try Monterey Jack for a mellower melt, or pepper jack for a subtle kick. Mixing cheeses can offer even more flavor depth.
What type of pasta works best?
Spiral shapes like rotini or fusilli are perfect for holding the creamy sauce, but penne or shells work well too. Avoid thin noodles which can get too soft during baking.
How can I make this casserole lighter?
Swap some or all of the cheddar cheese for reduced-fat varieties, use turkey bacon, and try a lower-fat cream of chicken soup. You can also add extra vegetables like spinach or bell peppers to bump up the nutrition.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes! The Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe holds up beautifully in the fridge, making it ideal for make-ahead dinners or a grab-and-go lunch throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for the ultimate comfort food, this Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe never disappoints. It’s cozy, easy, and oh-so-satisfying—perfect for feeding a crowd or simply treating yourself. Trust me: give this one a whirl, and watch those empty plates return with big smiles!
PrintCrazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe
This Crazy Good Chicken Pasta Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish that the whole family will love. Creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, it’s the perfect meal for a cozy night in.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Non-vegetarian
Ingredients
Chicken Pasta Casserole:
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 16-ounce box of dried spiral pasta
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 large Roma tomato, chopped
Bacon Topping:
- 6 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled
Serving Garnish:
- Sliced green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, fry the bacon until crispy. Crumble and set aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and cook them in the same skillet with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook the pasta according to package instructions, drain, and return to the pot.
- Combine and Bake: Add the cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, chopped tomato, and half of the shredded cheese to the pasta. Stir well. Transfer to a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Top with crumbled bacon and remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
- Serve: Garnish with sliced green onions before serving.
Notes
- You can customize this casserole by adding your favorite vegetables or spices.
- Feel free to use different types of cheese for varied flavors.
- Ensure chicken is cooked through before transferring to the casserole dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 890mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: chicken pasta casserole, cheesy pasta bake, comfort food recipe