Looking for a new comfort food dish to make for dinner? Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake is a delicious casserole made with plenty of cheese, chicken, and bacon. The easy baked pasta recipe will impress your friends and family with its amazing flavors.
Pasta is my love language. Noodles covered in sauce and melted cheese will always get my vote for dinner. In fact, we make this creamy homemade mac and cheese and this buffalo chicken pasta quite often.
I'll never get tired of those two casseroles, but sometimes I get the urge to try something new. Enter in a new family favorite that we can't get enough of.
This chicken bacon ranch pasta was inspired by a sandwich that I had at Subway years ago. There is just something so delicious about the combo of flavors.
Why You Will Love This Casserole
Who doesn't love cheese, chicken, and bacon? This pasta bake has all your favorite ingredients, and it's so easy to make.
Our chicken bacon ranch pasta bake is the perfect solution to "what's for dinner?". It only requires 15 minutes of prep time, and it bakes in 20 minutes.
The best part is that you can make this cheesy pasta casserole ahead of time. Just pop it in the oven when you're ready to eat.
It's perfect for busy weeknights or gatherings with friends and family. The cheesy, bacon-y goodness will have everyone asking for seconds and the recipe.
Main Ingredients Needed
Here are the main components to this chicken bacon ranch pasta recipe. It is made with a creamy cheesy sauce, chicken, and bacon for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Pasta - We like using penne noodles for this casserole, but any pasta noodle will work.
- Veggies - A mixture of onions, green peppers, spinach, and tomatoes give this chicken casserole so much flavor.
- Garlic - Adds flavor to the mixture.
- Meat - Cooked chicken and bacon are the two stars in this dish. Any type of chicken is great to use in this recipe. You can grill chicken breast and cut them up or buy a rotisserie chicken from the store and shred it.
- Cheese Sauce - Using a can of evaporated milk, mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and ranch dressing creates a creamy sauce that coats everything.
How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake
This easy and cheesy chicken ranch pasta dinner can be on your dinner table in under 40 minutes. Follow are simple steps to have it ready in time.
Cook the pasta. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Dump in the pasta and cook until al dente.
Prep the veggies and meats. Chop and dice the vegetables and cooked chicken. Cook the bacon and drain the grease.
Sauté the peppers and onions. Add oil to a large skillet over medium heat and stir in the onions and peppers. Once the veggies are slightly softened, add the chicken, bacon, and other veggies. Cover the pan and set it aside.
Make the cheese sauce. In another pot, heat the canned milk and shredded cheese until melted and creamy, then stir in the ranch dressing, cooked pasta, and sautéed veggies.
Bake the pasta. Pour the cheesy pasta mixture into a greased pan, top it with more shredded cheese, and bake until melted and bubbly. Give it few extra minutes under the broiler to brown the layer of cheese on top, if you like.
Storage Recommendations
Keep the creamy pasta leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat the chicken ranch pasta in the microwave for a quick lunch or fast dinner.
Make it a Full Meal
This bacon ranch pasta is a delicious and filling meal on its own, but sometimes we like to add side dishes to stretch it out further. Here are some great options.
- Garden Salad with Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Roasted Veggies
- Garlic Herb Bread
- Oreo Brownies
Recipe Tips
- Chop the veggies the night before and store them in containers in the fridge.
- If you cook the pasta ahead of time, be sure to toss it with a little bit of olive oil, so the noodles do not stick together.
- Change up the veggies in this casserole. A few that would be good are broccoli, peas, asparagus, or mushrooms.
- Try other types of cheese. We love using pepper jack because it gives the pasta a spicy flair.
- Make sure to use freshly shredded cheese because it really does melt better than the prepackaged cheese from the store.
- Garnish the finished casserole with extra bacon and parsley for a pop of color.
FAQ'S
Can you make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes. Prepare the cheesy pasta and place it in a casserole dish. Do not bake! Cover it tightly and place the pan in the refrigerator.
Set the dish out 30 minutes before putting it in the oven. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes.
What pasta is best for a baked casserole?
Any pasta that you like will work in this particular cheesy casserole. Some of our favorites are penne, farfalle, ziti, and cavatappi.
The key is to cook the pasta to al dente. It's best to slightly undercook the noodles for a baked casserole because they continue to cook in the oven too.
Do I have to bake this pasta?
Not at all. You can save time by stirring the extra shredded cheese into the hot pasta in the skillet and serve it without baking.
How do you reheat pasta leftovers?
Heat single servings on a glass plate in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. For the full pan, cover it with foil and heat at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
More Easy Dinner Recipes
- Cheddar Broccoli Chicken Lasagna Rolls
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta
- Sausage Alfredo Stuffed Shells
- Meat Lover’s Pizza Skillet Ravioli
- Cheese Tortellini Skillet Meal
- Chicken Pasta Bake recipe
- Bacon Mac and Cheese
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Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake Recipe
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake is a delicious casserole made with plenty of cheese, chicken, and bacon. The easy baked pasta recipe will impress your friends and family with its amazing flavors.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ½ cup chopped green peppers
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 - 14 ounce can diced tomatoes (undrained)
- 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
- ½ cup chopped, cooked bacon
- 1 cup chopped spinach leaves
- 1 - 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 2 ½ cups shredded mozzarella, divided (use pepper jack cheese if you want a spicier pasta)
- ½ cup Ranch salad dressing
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray. (use a 10x10 or 9x13)
- Cook the pasta according to the package directions for al dente pasta. Drain and pour back into saucepan. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon olive oil and toss. Cover and set aside.
- Saute the onions and peppers in 1 tablespoon oil for 2-3 minutes.
- Add the garlic, tomatoes, chicken, bacon, and spinach to the pan. Stir until the spinach leaves start to wilt. Cover and set aside.
- Heat the milk and 2 cups mozzarella cheese in a saucepan until the cheese melts and becomes creamy.
- Stir in the ranch dressing, cooked noodles, and chicken mixture until everything is coated.
- Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until hot and bubbly.
- Broil an additional 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese, if desired. Keep a close eye on it, so it does not burn.
Notes
*This dish has a slightly spicy taste to it if you use pepper jack cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 405Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 79mgSodium: 596mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 8gProtein: 24g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake was first published May 2014. The post and pictures were updated March 2022.
Tiffany
What kind of onion should be used? The recipe says red, but the video shows otherwise.?
Jocelyn
You can honestly use whatever onion you like. I have used red and white and couldn't taste a difference.
beans
I would make it and put everything in a freezer pan, top with cheese, and freeze. Then thaw overnight in the refrigerator and remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Because it will be cold, you will probably have to bake it longer than 20 minutes
Joann
This looks delicious. Cannot wait to fix this for my family. This is just a suggestion; You could use a Rotisserie Chicken, & Real Bacon Bits If you are in a pinch. Just my opinion.Thanks so much for the wonderful recipes. Have a wonderful and blessed day.
Tara
My kids loved this cheesy chicken and pasta dish, and I loved how EASY it is to make!
Becky Hardin
Oh yes! I am making this ASAP! Sounds so delicious!
Rachael Yerkes
Well I just found my new favorite dinner!
Kristyn
You can't go wrong with chicken, bacon, & ranch!! My family loves this! Love the taste & how cheesy it is!
Julie
Yum! My family is going to love this! Thanks for sharing.
Margret
i made this for my family and its now become my hubby s favourite!! loved it . thanks
Jocelyn
I am so glad to hear that your family loved this cheesy pasta. It's one of our favorites too, so it makes me happy that others are enjoying it!!!
Jennifer
Can I substitute something else for the spinach? My husband refuses to eat anything green! He does not know what he's missing!
Jocelyn
You could leave it out since he doesn't like it, and it would still be just fine. I hope you guys like this dinner!!!
Jae Tomsen
Made this tonight for my family. Even my fussy Dad like it. Thumbs up for this recipe. Thank you
Shayna
Thank you for the simple well laid out instructions. I'm a vegan and am (for lack of a better word) a complete noob when it comes to meat and cheese dishes. I'm making this one for my parents tonight (they love their meat and cheese) and my fingers are crossed but I'm thinking I hit the nail on the head with this one. Thanks so much. P.S Lovely casserole dish.
Susie
I've written this same thing on another site about the annoying Adchoice ad in the middle of the print recipe. Is there anywhere else it can be placed other then the middle of a printed recipe ??
I love your site & recipes but it's a P.I.T.A. to try & edit !
Julie
We love this. Do you think it would do well as a freezer meal?
Jocelyn
I think it would be ok to freeze it. I would make it and put everything in a freezer pan, top with cheese, and freeze. Then thaw overnight in the refrigerator and remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking. Because it will be cold, you will probably have to bake it longer than 20 minutes...just heat it until it is bubbly on the sides, then broil the top.
Justine
Was delicious but I didn't see anywhere where it said to drain the can of tomatoes so my pasta ended up slightly runny (so drain your tomatoes!!!). Other than that, my husband and I loved it!!!
Jocelyn
I actually do not drain my tomatoes when I make this pasta. I'm glad you guys liked it even if yours was slightly runny.
Anne
Comfort food at its best - I can't wait to try it out!
Valerie
Hi may I use mostacholli
Jocelyn
Yes, you can use whatever your favorite pasta shape is. I hope you enjoy the dinner!
mel
would love to make it but the hubby cant eat tomatos so that counts me out
Jocelyn
Hi, Mel. You could leave the tomatoes out and substitute something else if you like.
christina
My family loved this! It is going into the dinner rotation. Thanks!
Wwei
I really want to make this but ranch dressing isn't sold in my country! And it seems too much effort to make from scratch and I'd need to buy new condiments and ingredients which I don't have space for. Is there any way I can make this without ranch dressing? Can you recommend a substitute?
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yes, you could leave the ranch out of this. It will just change the taste slightly. I would also not drain your can of tomatoes since you are not adding the dressing. I hope you enjoy it!
Lynn
This was dinner tonight....it is amazing!!! Thank You for sharing!!! As we always say when we Really like a recipe...THIS ONE IS A KEEPER!!!
Lauren Oliver
I made this last night, with some slight alterations because I didn't have quite the same ingredients. I used half and half instead of condensed milk, some garlic in place of onions. But it came out pretty damn good! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Aaron
Ooooo this is delicious! My mom and I are very happy with how this turned out!Thank you!
rabiya iqbal
Any subtitute for pepper jack cheese.. can we use any other kinda cheese.. plz do reply cuz i really like the recipe n i want to try it..
Jocelyn Brubaker
You can use any flavor shredded cheese that you like. Mozzarella would work great too!
Joanna
This is a perfect week night meal! I'm always on the look out for something new to throw into my dinner rotation, and this is going in mine. The only change I'll have to make is the can of tomatoes, my daughter is allergic to them. But I'll come up with a replacement. 🙂
http://www.everydaymadefresh.com/
Dreama
Quick question. Do you use bottled ranch dressing or the powder that you mix?
Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
I used the bottled ranch dressing. It mixes right into the cheese and gives it a nice flavor. I hope you enjoy the pasta!
Nella Bowden
We do not like ranch dressing? Is there anything that I can substitute instead of ranch dressing?
Jocelyn Brubaker
If you wanted to substitute greek yogurt in place to it that would be fine. I actually think you could leave it out and it would be fine without it too. I hope you enjoy the pasta!!!
Brenna D
I can't wait to make this! I make chicken/bacon calzones with ranch that my kids just love. Ironically I made them just last night. What I do is bake the chicken breasts in a mix of ranch and caesar dressings, cool then a bit and then dice into small pieces. Last night I took a chance and used buffalo ranch along with the regular ranch. I also added some smoked paprika to the filling. It was fabulous! Even my picky boys loved them! I've thought about adding some veggies but I wasn't sure what would mesh with it and I was too chicken (no pun intended) to mess with a good thing. With your yummy recipe to make and eat I'll be able to try something new. Thank you!
SallyJoJo
We really enjoyed this! Made just a couple of changes, I used ham instead of bacon and all cheddar cheese and add 2 Tbl jalapeno. Very good! Thanks for something different that didn't have a can of cream of something soup! 🙂
Yvonne
This was delicious! My husband and 4 year old had seconds, and my husband wanted to go back for thirds of his stomach would have held more! Having leftovers for lunch today, I'm excited.
katie @ fromicecreamtomarathon
I made this for dinner tonight, and it was delicious. You're right, the fam LOVED it!!
Jaren (Diary of a Recipe Collector)
This looks to die for good!! Yummy, cheesy, goodness!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Jaren! 🙂
Stephanie @ PlainChicken
Looks insanely delicious! Must try soon. YUM!
Maria
This looks like some serious comfort food!!!! So creamy and cheesy!! It looks delicious!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Maria!
Chels R.
OMG-the melted cheese is just calling my name! I've got like 20 boxes of penne pasta in my pantry because it's my hubby's fave cut of pasta so I need to make this. Looks completely amazing!
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet
Jocelyn, this dish looks absolutely amazing! My family would be coming back for seconds and thirds on this one!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Nancy!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
It is a good thing that I am not on a diet because I wouldn't be able to resist a serving of this pasta bake. Look at all that cheesy goodness!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour)
All the cheesiness... I must have this. I'm a BIG bacon fan so I'd eat the entire tray in one sitting unless someone stopped me.
aimee@shugarysweets
I'm loving this dish! You are rocking on the cheese and pasta meals girlfriend. Can my kids come live with you???
Jocelyn Brubaker
Absolutely! As long as you take mine!! 😉
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Chicken, bacon, ranch, cheese and carbs? That is my kind of dinner! Comfort food at it's finest! Nom-a-licious girlfriend!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks Taylor! 😉
Chloe @ foodlikecake
This looks so good!
Sharlynn Ng
Omg, these are amazing! I'm a huge sucker for pastas and I can't help it even though I really shouldn't be having too much of the cheesy carby goodness! I totally need to try a spinach and salmon pasta!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Yum, that sounds good! Thanks Sharlynn!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
Jocelyn, send me some of those savory brain waves -- I desperately need them!! My body isn't happy with me for taste testing so many cookie and cupcake recipes right now. It's begging for healthy real food, but I honestly don't know where to start. It's actually overwhelming! But I really love how you're adding savory dishes to your repertoire (I've been staring at your sweet treats on Pinterest for months now, so I know how much you enjoy making those!). That takes courage to step outside of your baking comfort zone! And my brother's Pinewood Derbies were always really fun. They held his at the elementary school at night, so I'd sneak out with a friend or two to play on the playground in the dark. Such fun memories!
Tieghan
Comfort food at its best! Looks awesome!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Tieghan! 🙂
DessertForTwo
This is my kind of comfort food!
Mary
This is a crowd pleaser! - my crowd will definitely be pleased - delicious!
Mary
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Mary! 🙂
Ilona @ Ilona's Passion
Perfect dinner, yummy! Pasta and chicken:)
Tanya Schroeder
Oh this would make my family extemely happy! We are huge pasta lovers and bacon lovers!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Then this is the pasta for you and your fam! 😉