Prep Time: 10 mins | Cook Time: 45 mins | Total Time: 55 mins | Yield: 8 Servings
Total comfort food! This Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Casserole is ready in less than an hour and is ready to grace your dining table! Enjoy the delicious flavors of chicken, bacon, pasta, cheese, and a lot more in one serving!
Ingredients:
½ c grated Parmesan
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 c shredded cheddar cheese, divided
3 c shredded chicken
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 c heavy cream
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1-ounce packages of dried ranch dressing seasoning
1 ½ c shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided
10 slices of bacon, diced
salt and pepper, to taste
2 c half and half
1-pound dry large elbow pasta
Directions:
Place a large pot with water on the stove and turn the heat to high. Allow the water to boil.
Add the pasta and refer to the directions provided on the package on how to cook it. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the cooked pasta, then toss until coated. Set aside.
Prepare the oven and preheat to 190 degrees C or 375 degrees F.
Brush with butter in a 3-quart baking dish.
Place a large skillet on the stove and turn the heat to medium-low.
Add bacon into the hot skillet, then cook for a few minutes until crispy. Transfer the crispy bacon onto a clean plate lined with paper towels to drain accumulated fat.
In the same skillet, add the shredded chicken and ranch seasoning. Stir and cook for about 3 minutes. Remove from the skillet.
In the empty skillet, add butter and allow it to melt.
Add garlic and sauté for a minute or until aromatic.
Add the flour, then whisk and cook for about a minute until brown.
Add the half & half and heavy cream, then stir until well blended. Simmer the mixture for a few minutes until thick.
Add the Parmesan cheese and ½ of the cheddar cheese. Stir until melted completely and well blended.
Add the cooked pasta into the skillet with the sauce, then toss until well coated. Stir in the chicken and ½ of the bacon.
Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish and spread it evenly.
Top with the rest of the bacon and cheeses.
Place the baking dish inside the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the cheese has melted completely.
Serve and enjoy!