If you’re craving a hearty dinner that’s cheesy, creamy, and ready with just a handful of ingredients, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole checks all the boxes. With tender chicken, crispy bacon, zesty ranch seasoning, and gooey mozzarella on penne pasta, every bite feels like comfort food at its best.
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
This recipe shines because it’s:
- Simple to make — only 6 main ingredients.
- Kid‑approved — irresistible cheese and bacon combo.
- Perfect for busy weeknights — uses rotisserie or leftover chicken.
- Comfort food classic — rich Alfredo and ranch sauce wrapped around pasta.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pasta – penne works great to trap the creamy sauce.
- Bacon – thick‑cut for crispier flavor.
- Alfredo sauce – jarred for convenience.
- Ranch seasoning mix – classic ranch flavor.
- Cooked chicken – rotisserie is easy and flavorful.
- Mozzarella cheese – shredded for cheesy topping.
Helpful Tips Before You Start
- A 9×13 casserole dish is ideal.
- Kitchen shears make cutting bacon a breeze.
- Slightly undercook the pasta so it finishes baking in the sauce.
- Pre‑cooked chicken saves time and adds great texture to the casserole.
How to Make This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Bring a salted pot of water to a boil and cook penne one minute less than package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, cut and fry bacon until crisp. Drain and set aside.
- Drain pasta and add to your casserole dish.
- Pour Alfredo sauce over pasta and sprinkle ranch seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
- Add cooked chicken and half the bacon, toss again.
- Spread mixture in a layer, top with mozzarella and remaining bacon.
- Bake uncovered until hot and bubbly (about 15 minutes).
- Optional: Broil briefly to brown the cheese — but watch so it doesn’t burn.
What to Serve with Your Casserole
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is rich and filling on its own, but you can add:
- Mixed greens salad with vinaigrette
- Dinner rolls or breadsticks
- A simple veggie side like roasted broccoli
Looking for something different but still chicken‑centric? Try this sweet chili chicken if you want a sweet contrast, or go for this bold black pepper chicken for another punchy dinner idea. Feeling like something lighter? This creamy lemon chicken might be your perfect backup.
Leftovers and Storage
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheat gently on low heat or in the microwave in short bursts to keep the sauce creamy.
- Creamy pasta casseroles don’t freeze well because the texture can change.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
If you’re craving a hearty dinner that’s cheesy, creamy, and ready with just a handful of ingredients, this Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole checks all the boxes. With tender chicken, crispy bacon, zesty ranch seasoning, and gooey mozzarella on penne pasta, every bite feels like comfort food at its best.
Ingredients
- Penne pasta
- Thick‑cut bacon
- Jarred Alfredo sauce
- Ranch seasoning mix
- Cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover)
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Bring a salted pot of water to a boil and cook penne one minute less than package directions.
- While the pasta cooks, cut and fry bacon until crisp. Drain and set aside.
- Drain pasta and add to your casserole dish.
- Pour Alfredo sauce over pasta and sprinkle ranch seasoning. Toss to coat evenly.
- Add cooked chicken and half the bacon, toss again.
- Spread mixture in a layer, top with mozzarella and remaining bacon.
- Bake uncovered until hot and bubbly (about 15 minutes).
- Optional: Broil briefly to brown the cheese — but watch so it doesn’t burn.
Notes
Use a 9×13 casserole dish. Slightly undercook pasta for best texture. Kitchen shears help cut bacon fast. Creamy casseroles don’t freeze well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole brings together pasta, chicken, bacon, and cheese in a way that feels like a warm hug after a long day. It’s a perfect family dinner idea that comes together with pantry staples and always hits the spot.
It’s simple, comforting, and super satisfying. What more could you want?