Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This chicken bacon ranch casserole combines bacon, chicken, and ranch dressing with a rich, cheesy sauce. Mixed with pasta, the dish makes a fabulous family-pleasing casserole, and using a rotisserie chicken makes it an easy one-dish meal you can make any night of the week.

What makes this casserole especially appealing is how flexible it is. Leftover chicken, rotisserie chicken, or even cooked turkey all work beautifully, and the sauce comes together quickly without needing a separate roux or complicated steps. The combination of ranch seasoning, smoky bacon, tender pasta, and melted cheese creates a dish that feels indulgent without being fussy.

What You’ll Like About This Recipe

• Comfort-food flavors everyone recognizes. Ranch seasoning, bacon, chicken, and melted cheese are a familiar combination that consistently appeals to a wide range of tastes. Nothing here feels trendy or polarizing, which makes this casserole especially reliable for family meals, potlucks, or casual entertaining.
• Creamy without being heavy or gluey. The sauce balances richness with structure by combining cream cheese, cream, and broth. The result is a smooth, cohesive sauce that coats the pasta and chicken without turning stiff or overly thick as it bakes.
• Flexible protein and pasta options. This recipe works well with shredded rotisserie chicken, leftover roasted chicken, or even cooked turkey. The pasta shape is flexible too—farfalle, penne, rotini, or shells all hold the sauce well and bake evenly.
• Easy assembly with minimal cleanup. Most of the cooking happens in one pan before transferring to the baking dish. Once assembled, the oven does the rest, leaving you with a complete meal and fewer dishes to wash.
• Great for leftovers and reheating. This casserole holds up well in the refrigerator and reheats smoothly when handled gently. That makes it a strong candidate for meal prep or cooking ahead for busy days.

Ingredient Notes

• Farfalle pasta – Bow-tie pasta holds creamy sauces well and stays sturdy after baking. Mini farfalle works especially well, but penne, rotini, or medium shells are all good substitutes.
• Bacon – Regular sliced bacon provides smoky flavor and texture. Avoid thick-cut bacon, which can stay chewy and overpower the dish.
• Cream cheese or mascarpone – Cream cheese gives structure and tang, while mascarpone makes the sauce slightly milder and silkier. Either works; mascarpone will yield a softer, more delicate sauce.
• Ranch dressing mix – Dry ranch seasoning provides concentrated flavor without thinning the sauce. Hidden Valley is a common, reliable option, but store-brand packets work just as well.
• Chicken broth – Loosens the sauce and prevents it from becoming overly thick during baking. Use low-sodium broth if your ranch mix is salty.
• Mozzarella cheese – Provides melt and stretch. Low-moisture mozzarella is best for casseroles; fresh mozzarella releases too much liquid.
• Parmesan cheese – Adds depth and savory balance. Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly than shelf-stable varieties.

Steps to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

1. Cook the pasta just until tender and drain it well. Slightly undercooking helps prevent it from becoming too soft after baking.
2. Cook the bacon until crisp, then remove it from the pan and drain. Leaving some of the rendered fat behind adds flavor to the sauce base.
3. Gently cook the garlic in the bacon drippings just until fragrant, being careful not to brown it, which can introduce bitterness.
4. Whisk the cream and cream cheese together over low heat until smooth. Keeping the heat moderate prevents separation.
5. Stir in the Parmesan, ranch seasoning, pepper, and broth, creating a cohesive, pourable sauce.
6. Fold in the cooked pasta, chicken, and part of the mozzarella so everything is evenly coated before transferring to the baking dish.
7. Top with the bacon and remaining cheese, then bake until bubbling around the edges and lightly browned on top.

Pro Tips

• Sauce texture – If the sauce seems thick before baking, that’s fine. The pasta will absorb moisture as it bakes, loosening everything naturally.
• Chicken prep – Shredded chicken blends more evenly throughout the casserole, while diced chicken gives more defined bites. Either works depending on preference.
• Cheese balance – Using some cheese inside the casserole and some on top ensures a creamy interior with a nicely melted finish.
• Seasoning check – Ranch mixes vary in saltiness. Taste the sauce before adding extra salt—you may not need any at all.
• Baking dish size – A slightly deeper dish keeps the casserole moist; a wider, shallow dish creates more browned surface area.

Recipe Variations

• Spicy ranch version. Add crushed red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce to the sauce for gentle heat.
• Vegetable-loaded casserole. Stir in steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
• Different cheese blend. Swap half of the mozzarella for Monterey Jack, Colby-Jack, or a mild cheddar for a sharper flavor.
• Lower-carb option. Replace the pasta with steamed cauliflower florets or cooked spaghetti squash and bake as directed.
• Buffalo-style twist. Add a small amount of buffalo sauce to the sauce mixture and finish with blue cheese crumbles instead of Parmesan.

Side Dish Suggestions

• Tossed Salad With Italian Dressing
• Garlic Butter Crescent Rolls
• Steamed Broccoli
• Creamed Peas
• Bacon and Chive Biscuits
• Orange Glazed Carrots
• Coleslaw
• Quick Stovetop Scalloped Corn

How to Store

• Refrigerate – Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Label with the date, as dairy-based casseroles are best enjoyed within that window.
• Freeze – Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best texture.
• Reheat – Warm gently in the oven or microwave, adding a splash of broth or milk to restore creaminess and prevent drying.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Diana Rattray

Cheesy, creamy, and packed with deliciousness! This one-dish chicken bacon ranch pasta casserole is always a hit!

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Servings 6 servings

Calories 541

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Course Bacon, Casserole, Chicken, Pasta

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  

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• 6 ounces farfalle pasta, or similar (I used mini farfalle)
• 4 strips bacon, diced
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 4 ounces cream cheese, or mascarpone
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
• 2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded, divided
• 2 teaspoons chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

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• Gather Ingredients: Prepare and measure the ingredients and have them at hand.
  
• Prepare the Pan and Oven: Grease a 2-quart baking dish and preheat the oven to 350°F.
  
• Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta in boiling salted water following the package directions, drain it, and set it aside.
  
• Cook the Bacon: Meanwhile, cook the diced bacon in a large sauté pan or saucepan over medium heat until crisp; transfer to paper towels to drain.
  
• Make the Sauce: Add the minced garlic to the drippings in the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Add heavy cream and cream cheese and whisk for 1 to 2 minutes or until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat.
  
• Finish the Dish: Add the Parmesan cheese, ranch dressing mix, pepper, and chicken broth; stir to blend. Add the drained pasta, chicken, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese. Stir until the ingredients are well combined, then transfer to the prepared baking pan. Top with the bacon and the remaining mozzarella cheese.
  
• Bake: Bake the chicken bacon ranch casserole for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and the casserole is bubbling around the edges.
  
• Serve: Serve with a garnish of chopped parsley. Enjoy!
  

Nutrition

Calories: 541kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 28gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 19gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 121mgSodium: 1043mgPotassium: 265mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 981IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 335mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword bacon, chicken casserole, pasta casserole, ranch dressing, rotisserie chicken

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