Description

This Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake is a comforting casserole featuring tender spaghetti mixed with shredded chicken, rich cream cheese, sour cream, and a blend of savory seasonings. Topped with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, then baked until golden and bubbly, it makes a hearty meal perfect for family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale

Spaghetti & Chicken

12 oz spaghetti
2 cups cooked shredded chicken

Dairy & Sauces

1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Seasonings & Others

1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Cook spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
Make creamy sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
Combine all ingredients: Fold the cooked shredded chicken, 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, Parmesan cheese, and cooked spaghetti into the creamy sauce. Mix gently to combine all elements evenly.
Assemble casserole: Pour the spaghetti mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Then, add the crumbled cooked bacon as a final topping.
Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. This helps the flavors meld and the casserole heat through.
Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is golden brown.
Rest and serve: Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes after baking to allow it to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

For extra crispy bacon, cook in the oven on a wire rack before crumbling.
If you prefer, substitute cooked rotisserie chicken to save time.
Use low-fat cream cheese and sour cream for a lighter version.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
You can swap cheddar for Monterey Jack or mozzarella for a different cheese flavor profile.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Keywords: creamy spaghetti bake, southern casserole, chicken spaghetti bake, comfort food pasta, baked spaghetti casserole