Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Casserole

Name: Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Casserole
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients: 10 lices bacon, diced; 3 cups shredded chicken; 1 oz package dried ranch dressing seasoning; 3 Tbsp unsalted butter; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 3 Tbsp all purpose flour; 2 cups heavy cream; 2 cups half and half; 1/2 cup grated parmesan; 1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided; salt and pepper, to taste; 1 lb. dry large elbow pasta

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Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
55 mins
Servings
8 servings
Calories
884 kcal
Course
Main Course
Cuisine
American

Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Casserole

Iris Warren

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Classic baked mac and cheese gets a comforting and family-friendly chicken bacon ranch flavor twist

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Ingredients

Servings

10 lices bacon, diced
3 cups shredded chicken (see recipe notes for substitutions)
1 oz package dried ranch dressing seasoning
3 Tbsp unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups half and half
1/2 cup grated parmesan
1 1/2 cups shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
salt and pepper, to taste
1 lb. dry large elbow pasta

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Instructions

Boil pasta 1 minute shy of al dente (see package for approximate time), drain. Stir with a drizzle of olive oil to prevent sticking. Set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 F degrees and butter a 3 quart baking dish. Set aside.
To a large, deep skillet, or dutch oven, add bacon and cook over MED-LOW heat until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a plate, then drain all but 1 Tbsp of the bacon fat.
Increase heat to MED, and add shredded chicken and ranch seasoning, and cook, stirring to coat. Cook 2-3 minutes. Remove to a plate.
Add butter and garlic, cooking about 30 seconds, until garlic is fragrant. Add flour and whisk together to form a paste. Slowly add in heavy cream and half and half, whisking vigorously as you add the liquids. Once all liquids are in the pot, cook, whisking often, for 3-5 minutes, until thickened.
Stir in all of the Parmesan cheese, half of the mozzarella and half of the cheddar. Melt cheese completely, then stir in cooked pasta, chicken, and half of the bacon pieces.
Transfer to prepared baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella, cheddar, and bacon. Bake 25-30 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted.

Notes

Shredded chicken can be substituted with 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts or 4-5 boneless skinless chicken thighs. In step 4, add chicken and ranch, then cook until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165 F degrees.

Nutrition Information

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Calories 884kcal (44%) Carbohydrates 52g (17%) Protein 36g (72%) Fat 58g (89%) Saturated Fat 31g (155%) Cholesterol 207mg (69%) Sodium 959mg (40%) Potassium 471mg (13%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 1545IU (31%) Vitamin C 1.4mg (2%) Calcium 461mg (46%) Iron 1.5mg (8%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 884 kcal

% Daily Value*

Calories	884kcal	44%
Carbohydrates	52g	17%
Protein	36g	72%
Fat	58g	89%
Saturated Fat	31g	155%
Cholesterol	207mg	69%
Sodium	959mg	40%
Potassium	471mg	10%
Fiber	1g	4%
Sugar	2g	4%
Vitamin A	1545IU	31%
Vitamin C	1.4mg	2%
Calcium	461mg	46%
Iron	1.5mg	8%