Description
This Overnight French Onion Chicken Pasta Bake is a comforting and delicious casserole that combines tender cooked chicken, creamy French onion soup flavor, and cheesy pasta. Prepared the night before, it bakes to golden perfection with a crispy onion topping, making it an ideal make-ahead meal for busy families or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 2 (10.5-oz) cans Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (12-oz) container French onion dip
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1¼ cups chicken broth
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 (2.8-oz) can French fried onions
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray to ensure the casserole doesn’t stick during baking.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, French onion dip, milk, chicken broth, and garlic powder. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni until everything is well incorporated.
- Refrigerate overnight: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking pan. Cover it tightly and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to absorb the liquids.
- Preheat oven: The next day, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and uncover it. Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC).
- Add toppings and bake: Top the casserole evenly with shredded cheddar cheese and French fried onions. Bake uncovered for 1 hour, or until the pasta is tender, the cheese is melted, and the onions are golden and crispy.
Notes
- Using cooked chicken saves time and ensures the chicken remains tender after baking.
- French fried onions add a delightful crunchy texture and enhanced flavor; do not substitute with raw onions.
- If you do not have time to refrigerate overnight, you can bake immediately but the pasta may be less infused with flavor.
- For a lower sodium version, opt for low-sodium soup and broth varieties.
- This dish can be prepared earlier in the day and refrigerated for several hours before baking if overnight refrigeration is not possible.
