Servings
Font
Back
5.0 from 3 votes

Chicken Ranch Mac and Cheese with Bacon

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese is the ultimate pasta dinner. With a rich and cheesy sauce, salty bacon, and ranch seasoning — it’s full of delicious flavor!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8 -10
Calories: 829 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces elbow pasta uncooked
  • 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups half and half
  • 1 ounce package ranch seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese shredded and divided
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
  • 3 cups chicken cooked and shredded (3 breasts)
  • 10 lices Bacon cooked and crumbled
  • crumbled bacon bits
  • freshly chopped parsley

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
  2. Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions for al dente and drain, saving 1-2 cups pasta water.
  3. During the time the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan with deep sides. Add all-purpose flour and cook and stir for 1 minute over medium heat.
  4. Slowly whisk in half-and-half about ¾ cup at a time. Once all liquid is added, bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes, stir regularly.
  5. Add sea salt, ground black pepper, and ranch seasoning.
  6. Remove from heat then stir in Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of each cheese-mozzarella and cheddar cheese, until melted.
  7. Add the shredded chicken, cooked pasta and bacon and stir to combine.
  8. Transfer to prepared baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and cheddar. Bake, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted.
  9. Garnish with additional bacon and freshly chopped parsley, if desired.

Notes

  • Shred the cheese yourself: Shredding your own cheese, rather than using pre-shredded, helps it melt better since it doesn't have an anti-caking coating.
  • Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta just until it's nearly al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooking may result in a mushy texture.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet: Instead of transferring the casserole to a baking dish, leave it in a large oven-safe skillet and bake it in the oven.

Nutrition Information

Calories 829kcal (41%) Carbohydrates 54g (18%) Protein 42g (84%) Fat 49g (75%) Saturated Fat 25g (125%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 15g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 162mg (54%) Sodium 1375mg (57%) Potassium 604mg (17%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 1108IU (22%) Vitamin C 2mg (2%) Calcium 563mg (56%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8-10

Amount Per Serving

Calories 829

% Daily Value*

Calories 829kcal 41%
Carbohydrates 54g 18%
Protein 42g 84%
Fat 49g 75%
Saturated Fat 25g 125%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 15g 75%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 162mg 54%
Sodium 1375mg 57%
Potassium 604mg 13%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 1108IU 22%
Vitamin C 2mg 2%
Calcium 563mg 56%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.