Description
Crazy Good Casserole is a comforting, hearty baked dish featuring tender shredded chicken, creamy sauce, egg noodles, bacon, and melted cheddar cheese. This all-in-one casserole is easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners, delivering rich flavors and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (about 2 large chicken breasts)
- 1 can (10.5 oz / 300 g) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup cooked and crumbled bacon (about 6 slices)
Pasta
- 2 cups egg noodles, uncooked
Seasonings and Garnish
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or one of similar size to prevent sticking.
- Cook Noodles: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the egg noodles and cook until just al dente, which means they should be slightly firm as they will finish cooking in the oven. Once done, drain and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir the cooked noodles, shredded chicken, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the cooked bacon into the prepared sauce mixture. Mix everything thoroughly so all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the greased baking dish. Then, evenly sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and bacon on top for a cheesy, crispy crust.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set. Garnish with chopped green onions if desired, then serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute cooked rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Feel free to swap egg noodles with any pasta of your choice like penne or rotini.
- Adjust salt according to your taste, especially if your bacon or soup is already salty.
- If you prefer a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne or some chopped jalapeños to the sauce.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and reheat nicely in the oven or microwave.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese, and turkey bacon.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: chicken casserole, cheesy casserole, baked chicken casserole, comfort food, easy dinner recipe
