Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Course
Main Course, Dinner, Others
Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake
Description
Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake brings together boneless chicken breast seasoned with ranch mix and penne pasta in a rich homemade ranch sauce. The sauce is made by melting butter with garlic, then whisking in ranch seasoning, flour, and heavy cream before melting in Parmesan cheese. This combination creates a creamy sauce that coats the pasta and chicken evenly. The casserole is topped with shredded mozzarella and cooked bacon for added texture and flavor. The chicken is cooked until no longer pink, ensuring tenderness inside the creamy pasta bake. The recipe yields a cheesy, savory dish with the characteristic herbaceous flavor of ranch seasoning layered throughout.
The pasta is cooked al dente before being mixed with the sauce and chicken, maintaining a pleasant texture after baking. The topping melts and browns to provide a contrast to the creaminess below. This bake suits a filling meal that can serve a family of four to six. It can be served as a main course accompanied by a simple green salad to balance richness.
For best results, cook the chicken in the skillet before making the sauce to capture its juices in the pan, then wipe clean before starting the sauce. The ranch seasoning mix flavor is central to the dish, so use a quality blend. The recipe notes indicate that it serves four to six people.
Ingredients
- 10 ounces penne pasta dried
- 1 pound chicken breast boneless, skinless, cut in 1-inch pieces
- 1 Tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
Ranch Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons butter salted
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 2 Tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
- 1/2 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 pint heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese freshly grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- 4 lices Bacon chopped, cooked
- parsley optional, fresh chopped
Instructions
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook penne pasta until al dente, according to package directions. Drain.
- Season chicken pieces with ranch seasoning. Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray.
- Cook chicken in prepared skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink in center; about 10 to 12 minutes. Carefully transfer cooked chicken to a large plate. Tent with foil to keep warm. Carefully wipe skillet clean so you can cook the sauce in it.
Ranch Sauce
- Add butter to skillet and melt it over medium heat. Once melted, add garlic and stir until fragrant; about 1 minute. Whisk in ranch seasoning and flour. Cook for 30 seconds whisking constantly. Slowly whisk in heavy whipping cream. Continue to cook and stir for one minute or until mixture starts to boil. Remove from heat and stir in Parmesan cheese until it completely melts. Season sauce with pepper.
- Add drained cooked pasta and cooked chicken to ranch sauce in skillet. Stir to combine. Pour into a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
Toppings
- Top evenly with mozzarella cheese and chopped bacon. Bake in a preheated 375 degree F. oven, uncovered, for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let cool 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serve with chopped fresh parsley, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe yields enough to serve between 4 and 6 people, making it suitable for family meals or small gatherings.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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