This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake is an easy and delicious dinner for those busy week nights.  You can have a hot dinner that everyone will enjoy in under 40 minutes.

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Pasta has always been my all time favorite meal choice.  For years it was my go to choice when we would go out to eat.

Lately though I have become braver and have started to order different things when we eat out.

I’m finding new things that I enjoy eating but pasta will always hold that number one spot in my life. 

A couple weeks ago our kids had a pinewood car race to attend a few hours away.  We got up early and headed to the race knowing that we would have to leave as soon as the race was over to get back in time for an afternoon soccer game.

It made for a very busy Saturday.  That meant that a pit stop for lunch on the go was inevitable.

We stopped in one of the towns on the way home where we could get Subway for us and McDonald’s for the kiddos.  One of the benefits to having an older teenager is that he can escort the younger ones to McDonald’s while we go to Subway for a healthy (ok, somewhat healthy) sandwich.

Killing two birds with one stone so we could get back on the road again. Gotta love that!

My husband and I split the chicken bacon ranch sandwich.   Yes, for those of you who know how much I don’t really like bacon, I do actually like it on certain things.  Toasted subs happen to be one of them.

As we were driving and eating, I could stop thinking about how those flavors would make an awesome pasta dinner.

Since starting to add dinner recipes like this Chicken Supreme Pasta Bake and this Cheddar Bacon Macaroni and Cheese to the blog, I have started to think about those meals a little more than dessert.  It’s kind of scary!

Don’t worry too much though because I still have way more dessert ideas than dinner ones!

On my next shopping trip, I loaded our cart with all the ingredients to make this crazy, good pasta dinner.  My cart looked so different from my usual shopping trips.  I am used to seeing it loaded with cookies, chocolate chips, and cake mixes.  Who am I now?  LOL!

This easy and cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake can be on the table in under 40 minutes.

I like to cut the veggies and meats the night before and keep them in separate ziplock bags or containers in our refrigerator.   You can also cook your pasta ahead of time if you like.  Just be sure to toss it with a little bit of olive oil, so it doesn’t stick together.

Start by sautéing the peppers and onions in a small amount of oil. Then add the meats and other veggies.  Cover it and set aside.

Heat your milk and cheese until melted and creamy, then stir in the pasta and veggies.  If you are in a hurry for dinner, you can top it with the cheese in the skillet and just cover it with the lid until it melts.

But if you have about 20 minutes, I recommend baking it in the oven with that cheese on top.  A few extra minutes under the broiler will also brown that cheese nicely.

Serve this chicken bacon ranch pasta bake to your family and watch them devour it.  Best feeling ever!!!

More delicious pasta recipes I can’t way to try:

• Cowboy Pasta Salad from Belly Full
• One Pot Alfredo Pasta from Real Housemoms
• Spinach Pasta Salad from Barefeet in the Kitchen

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Yield: 6 servings

Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake

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This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake is an easy and delicious dinner for those busy week nights.  You can have a hot dinner that everyone will enjoy in under 40 minutes.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 20 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked penne pasta
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 cup chopped green peppers
• 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon olive oil, divided
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 - 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
• 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken
• 1/2 cup chopped, cooked bacon
• 1 cup chopped spinach leaves
• 1 - 12 ounce can evaporated milk
• 2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella or pepper jack cheese, divided
• 1/2 cup ranch salad dressing
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8x8 or 10x10 baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. 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.
3. Saute the onions and peppers in 1 Tablespoon oil for 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the garlic, tomatoes, chicken, bacon, and spinach to the pan. Saute until the spinach leaves start to wilt. Cover and set aside.
5. Heat the milk, ranch dressing, and 2 cups mozzarella or pepper jack cheese in a saucepan until the cheese melts and becomes creamy.
6. Stir in the noodles and chicken mixture until everything is coated.
7. Spoon the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining mozzarella or pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Bake for 20 minutes.
8. Broil an additional 2-3 minutes to brown the cheese, if desired. Keep a close eye on it while broiling. Serve hot. Makes 6 servings.

Notes

*This dish has a slightly spicy taste to it if you use pepper jack cheese.

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