Creamy Chicken & Macaroni Bake
This delightful Creamy Chicken & Macaroni Bake is a heartwarming one-dish meal that embodies comfort food at its finest. Inspired by a classic Betty Crocker recipe, this casserole is quick and easy to prepare, requiring no pre-cooking of the pasta. With tender pieces of leftover chicken or turkey mingled with creamy cheese and savory spices, it's perfect for busy weeknights or as a delicious way to repurpose holiday leftovers. The combination of sharp cheddar cheese, cream of chicken soup, and your choice of spices bring a rich depth of flavor that the whole family will love. Serve this dish straight from the oven for a cozy family dinner.
N/A
Servings
233
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
chopped cooked chicken or cooked turkey
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
sharp cheddar cheese
4 ounces (shredded)
milk
1 cup (use skim or your choice of milk)
salt
1/2 teaspoon (none)
curry powder or chili powder
1/2 teaspoon (none)
condensed cream of chicken soup
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can (none)
elbow macaroni
7 ounces (uncooked)
mushroom pieces
1 (4 ounce) can (undrained)
diced pimentos
1 (2 ounce) jar (undrained)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken or turkey, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, milk, salt, curry or chili powder, condensed cream of chicken soup, uncooked elbow macaroni, mushroom pieces, and diced pimentos. Stir until all ingredients are well combined.
3
Pour the mixture into an ungreased 11"x7" casserole dish, spreading evenly.
4
Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven.
5
Bake in the oven for approximately 55 minutes, or until the macaroni is tender and the casserole is bubbling. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to get golden and slightly crispy if desired.
6
Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your creamy, cheesy delight!
Nutrition Information
6g
Fat
30g
Carbs
15g
Protein
1g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken & Macaroni Bake?
It is a heartwarming one-dish comfort food meal featuring chicken or turkey, macaroni, and cheese, inspired by a classic Betty Crocker recipe.
Do I need to cook the macaroni before baking?
No, this recipe uses uncooked elbow macaroni which cooks in the oven with the other ingredients.
Can I use turkey instead of chicken?
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of either chopped cooked chicken or cooked turkey, making it great for leftovers.
How many calories are in a serving of this dish?
This recipe contains 233 calories per serving.
What oven temperature is required?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) before baking the casserole.
How long does the casserole take to bake?
It takes approximately 55 minutes in total to bake until the macaroni is tender.
What size casserole dish should I use?
You should use an ungreased 11x7 inch casserole dish.
Should the casserole dish be greased?
No, the instructions specify using an ungreased casserole dish.
What kind of cheese is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese.
Should I drain the mushroom pieces and pimentos?
No, both the 4-ounce can of mushroom pieces and the 2-ounce jar of diced pimentos should be used undrained.
What spices are used for seasoning?
The dish is seasoned with salt and your choice of either curry powder or chili powder.
Can I use any type of milk?
Yes, you can use skim milk or your personal choice of milk.
How much protein is in this meal?
Each serving provides 15 grams of protein.
What type of soup is needed?
You will need one 10 3/4 ounce can of condensed cream of chicken soup.
Do I need to cover the dish while it bakes?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the majority of the baking time.
When should I remove the aluminum foil?
Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the cheese to get golden and crispy.
How many total ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 9 ingredients in this recipe.
How much macaroni is required?
The recipe calls for 7 ounces of uncooked elbow macaroni.
What are the fat and carbohydrate counts?
The dish contains 6g of fat and 30g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is this a good recipe for busy weeknights?
Yes, it is specifically noted as a quick and easy preparation for busy weeknights.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
There is only 1 gram of sugar per serving.
Should the casserole rest after coming out of the oven?
Yes, let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving.
Can I use chili powder instead of curry powder?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 1/2 teaspoon of either curry powder or chili powder depending on your preference.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal as everything is combined and baked in a single casserole dish.
What is the primary vegetable ingredient?
The vegetable components include mushroom pieces and diced pimentos.
How much chicken or turkey is needed?
You need 1 1/2 cups of chopped cooked chicken or turkey.
Is this recipe inspired by a specific source?
Yes, it is inspired by a classic Betty Crocker recipe.
How do I know when the bake is finished?
The bake is finished when the macaroni is tender and the casserole is bubbling.
What tags describe this recipe?
Tags include casserole, chicken, macaroni, easy recipe, comfort food, turkey leftovers, and one dish meal.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).