Description

Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake is a comforting, cheesy casserole featuring tender spaghetti, shredded chicken, creamy cheese sauce, and crispy bacon. This hearty dish combines the flavors of cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and savory bacon for a delicious family-friendly meal perfect for busy weeknights or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz spaghetti

Protein

2 cups cooked shredded chicken
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

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

1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti in salted water until just al dente, typically about 8-10 minutes. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
Prepare Cheese Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper. Whisk together until the mixture is smooth and creamy without lumps.
Mix Ingredients: Gently fold in the cooked shredded chicken, 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and the cooked spaghetti into the cheese sauce. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
Assemble Bake: Pour this mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then scatter the crumbled cooked bacon on top for added flavor and crunch.
Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through thoroughly and allow flavors to meld.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10–15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, enhancing the casserole’s texture and appearance.
Rest and Garnish: Let the spaghetti bake rest for 5–10 minutes after removing it from the oven to set up. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm for the best taste experience.

Notes

You can substitute rotisserie chicken for cooked shredded chicken to save time.
For extra creaminess, add a splash of milk or chicken broth to the cheese mixture if it seems too thick.
Use turkey bacon or omit bacon for a lighter version.
This dish can be prepared ahead: Assemble and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Dish, Casserole, Pasta Bake
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 480
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 29g
Saturated Fat: 14g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 36g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 90mg

Keywords: southern spaghetti bake, creamy chicken pasta casserole, cheesy chicken spaghetti, ranch seasoning pasta bake, bacon spaghetti casserole