Description
A comforting and creamy Chicken Spaghetti casserole featuring tender chicken, sharp cheddar cheese, and a flavorful blend of vegetables and seasonings, perfect for a family-friendly meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 3 cups dry spaghetti, broken into two-inch pieces
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese (divided: 1 cup for mixing, 1 cup for topping)
- 1/4 cup finely diced green pepper
- 1/4 cup finely diced onion
- 1 jar (4-ounce) diced pimentos, drained
- 2 cups reserved chicken broth from pot
- 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
- 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook and shred chicken: Start by cooking one cut-up fryer chicken thoroughly. Once cooked, pick out the meat to yield approximately two cups of shredded chicken, setting it aside for later use.
- Prepare spaghetti: Using the reserved chicken broth, cook the broken spaghetti pieces until al dente, taking care not to overcook them so they hold their texture in the casserole.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, cooked chicken, cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese, diced green pepper, diced onion, drained diced pimentos, Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, cayenne pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir thoroughly to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble casserole: Transfer the mixture into a casserole pan, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of grated sharp cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture.
- Bake or store: You can cover the casserole and freeze it for up to six months or refrigerate for up to two days. To serve immediately, bake the casserole at 350°F (175°C) for 45 minutes or until bubbly. If the cheese topping begins to brown too quickly during baking, cover with foil to prevent burning.
Notes
- Spaghetti should be cooked al dente to maintain texture in the casserole.
- Freezing the assembled casserole allows for easy meal prep and storage.
- Adjust cayenne pepper to suit your spice preference.
- If cheese browns too fast, covering with foil will provide an even melt without burning.
- This dish serves well as leftovers and can be reheated cleanly in the oven or microwave.
