Creamy Homestyle Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe

Why You’ll Love This this Creamy Homestyle Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

This creamy chicken spaghetti casserole is basically a warm hug in casserole form, combining tender chicken, silky angel hair pasta, and melted Monterey Jack cheese in one gloriously cheesy dish.

You’ll love how ridiculously easy it’s to throw together – we’re talking about dumping everything in a bowl, stirring it up, and letting the oven do the heavy lifting while you sit back and pretend you’re a culinary genius.

Plus, with only a handful of ingredients and that golden, bubbly cheese topping, this is the kind of comfort food that makes even the pickiest eaters suddenly become your biggest fans.

Ingredients List

The beauty of this creamy chicken spaghetti casserole lies in its wonderfully simple ingredient list – just seven basic pantry and fridge staples that come together to create something absolutely magical.

• 2 chicken breasts, cooked
• 8 ounces angel hair pasta, cooked
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup, low sodium
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups monterey jack cheese, shredded (keep out 1/2 for topping)
• salt and pepper

A few quick notes about keeping things on the healthier side:

• The low-sodium cream of mushroom soup helps cut back on excess salt without sacrificing any of that creamy goodness
• Angel hair pasta cooks faster and feels lighter than heavier pasta shapes, though you could swap in whole wheat if you’re feeling virtuous
• Monterey Jack brings amazing meltability without being as heavy as some other cheese options, plus you get that gorgeous golden top when it bubbles up
• The chicken broth adds moisture and flavor without extra calories, and using just a small amount keeps things creamy but not swimming in liquid

Step by Step Directions

This creamy chicken spaghetti casserole comes together in just a few simple steps that take you from prep to golden, bubbly perfection.

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
• Combine cooked chicken breasts, cooked angel hair pasta, chopped onion, cream of mushroom soup, chicken broth, and 1 1/2 cups of the shredded monterey jack cheese in a large bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer mixture to the prepared casserole dish and bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven, sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese on top, and bake for an additional 15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.

For best results, use professional stainless steel cookware when preparing your ingredients, as it provides even heat distribution and superior cooking performance.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make it spicy – A diced jalapeño or some red pepper flakes mixed in transforms this into something with a little kick.

Start small though, you can always add more heat but you can’t take it back.

• Crunchy topping – Crushed crackers, panko breadcrumbs, or even crushed potato chips on top during the last 15 minutes creates a nice textural contrast to all that creamy goodness.

Additional Things to Serve With This Dish

This creamy comfort food pairs beautifully with lighter sides that help balance out all that cheesy richness.

• Simple green salad – Something crisp with a tangy vinaigrette cuts through the creaminess perfectly, and honestly, you’ll feel a little less guilty about going back for seconds.
• Garlic bread – Because why not double down on the carbs? A crusty baguette with garlic butter is basically mandatory with any pasta dish.
• Steamed broccoli – The bright green color looks pretty on the plate, plus it gives you permission to claim this meal has vegetables in it.
• Caesar salad – The anchovy-laced dressing and crunchy croutons create a nice contrast to the soft, melty casserole.
• Roasted asparagus – Toss those spears with olive oil and lemon, roast until slightly crispy, and you’ve got something that makes the whole meal feel more sophisticated.
• Fresh fruit salad – Sometimes you just need something light and revitalizing to cleanse the palate after all that comfort food heaven.

Cooking Tips & Tricks (Chef’s Notes)

Making this casserole foolproof is all about timing and a few sneaky shortcuts that honestly make all the difference.

• Don’t overcook the pasta – Since it’s going in the oven for 45 minutes, cook your angel hair just until it’s barely al dente, maybe even a touch underdone, because nobody wants mushy noodles swimming in cheese sauce.
• Shred your own cheese – Pre-shredded cheese has that anti-caking coating that prevents it from melting as smoothly, and when you’re building a casserole this creamy, every bit of meltiness counts.
• Let it rest before serving – I know it’s torture to wait when that cheese is bubbling and calling your name, but give it 10 minutes to set up or you’ll end up with a soupy mess on your plate.
• Use rotisserie chicken – Why make life harder than it needs to be when the grocery store deli counter has already done the work for you, and honestly, sometimes their seasoning is better than anything I’d manage on a Tuesday night.
• Add a splash of pasta water – If your mixture looks too thick before baking, a tablespoon or two of that starchy pasta water helps everything come together like magic.
• Cover with foil for the first half – This prevents the top from browning too quickly while the inside heats through, then remove it for that gorgeous golden cheese finish that makes everything look Instagram-worthy.

Nutritional Facts

Based on 8 servings, each portion contains approximately:

• Calories: 285
• Protein: 22g
• Carbohydrates: 24g
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 480mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 3g
• Calcium: 250mg (25% DV)
• Iron: 1.5mg (8% DV)

*Nutritional values are estimates and may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods used.*

Fun “Did You Know?”

While many consider spaghetti a quintessentially Italian dish, chicken spaghetti casseroles actually originated in the American South during the 1950s as a creative way to stretch chicken leftovers into a hearty family meal.

I find it fascinating that this comfort food classic became a church potluck staple because it’s easy to transport and feeds crowds affordably.

The dish gained popularity when canned cream soups became widely available, making preparation simpler for busy home cooks.

Today’s versions often include Monterey Jack cheese, which wasn’t commonly used in the original recipes that typically featured processed cheese or cheddar.