Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake: Easy Weeknight Dinner

Name: Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons butter; 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1 cup half-and-half; ¼ cup parmesan cheese; 1 ½ cups chicken (cooked and chopped); 1 packet ranch salad dressing (1 ounce); ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional); 8 ounces pasta; 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded); ½ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)

Jump To Recipe Print Recipe

If you’re looking for an easy and satisfying comfort meal, Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake is the ideal dish. Loaded with three different kinds of cheese and your choice of pasta, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite.

A blue casserole dish with cheesy chicken pasta.

Are you looking for a quick, simple dinner that everyone will love? And even better, a recipe that uses basic ingredients? If so, a Chicken Ranch pasta bake is a meal you will make again and again.

When I’m short on time this cheesy chicken casserole with buttery, garlicky herb sauce is one of my go-to recipes. It’s simple to make and will please even the pickiest eaters, especially if you’re serving kids (or adults!) who wrinkle their noses any time a vegetable crosses their path!

This recipe ditches the canned soup called for in so many casseroles. Instead, it features a made-from-scratch velvety sauce that tastes fresh and is healthier for you.

It reminds me of a baked version of hearty chicken noodle soup with three kinds of melty, gooey cheese. This is truly comfort food at its best.

A spoon in a dish of baked pasta with cheese on top.

For other high protein chicken meals to make for dinner, check the archives for dozens of delicious recipes to choose from, here are a few favorites.

Tender Chicken Adobo over rice with a savory sauce is ready in 30 minutes.
Sweet and tangy Baked Lemon Chicken features plump dates and caramelized lemons.
For an easy weeknight dinner on the grill, try Taco Chicken drizzled with warm queso.
Fan-favorite Chicken Tamale Pie has a cornbread base topped with melted cheddar and Monterey Jack.
Easy Instant Pot Barbecue Chicken with homemade smoky-sweet sauce is perfect for sandwiches.

Why you’ll love Chicken Pasta Casserole

This simple cheesy chicken pasta is perfect for weekday dinners when time is short.
Parmesan and garlic add depth to the rich, thick, homemade sauce.
Ranch seasoning creates a creamy, zippy herb taste that will make you go back for more.
It’s fun to experiment with different types of pasta each time you make the casserole.

For more tasty pasta recipes try One Pot Taco Spaghetti, Macaroni and Cheese, Noodle Kugel or Penne with Artichokes and Italian Sausage.

What you’ll need for baked Ranch Chicken Pasta Bake

Ingredients for chicken ranch casserole.

Chicken – use chicken breasts or thighs depending on your preference. A rotisserie makes this super easy. If you have a few minutes, cook your own chicken breasts, you’ll see how easy it really is to have tender chicken breasts.

Cheese – cheddar, mozzarella and Parmesan contribute to the melty, creamy sauce, but you can substitute with your favorite, just make sure one is a melty cheese like mozzarella.

Half-and-half – to thicken the sauce and add a rich taste. If you want to reduce the fat, you can use who 2% milk, it won’t be quite as creamy but still delicious. I wouldn’t try skim though as you need a little fat for the sauce.

Garlic – provides a nutty, mild flavor. Just mince it with a garlic press.

Butter – for browning the garlic.

Pasta – use any shape you like.

Dry ranch dressing – a 1-ounce packet adds the flavor of herbs and onion. Packaged ranch dressing is made up of onion powder, onion flakes, dill, parsley, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and dried chives which is what adds so much flavor to this dish. You can easily make your own, here’s a recipe from Spend with Pennies.

Red pepper flakes – these are optional but lend a nice amount of spicy heat

How to make it

Step 1: Cook the garlic in a skillet and gradually whisk in the half-and-half and cook until slightly thickened. Add some parmesan.

Step 2: Cook the pasta and place in a baking dish.

Step 3: Combine the chopped cooked chicken and ranch seasoning in a medium bowl

Cooked chicken with ranch dressing on top.

Spoon it over the pasta, then cover with the garlic sauce. Sprinkle cheese over the top.

Pasta covered with chicken and garlic sauce.

Step 4: Bake for about 15-20 minutes until bubbly and heated through.

Pro tip: Did you know you can freeze half-and-half? Pour the leftovers into a plastic container with an airtight lid. Leave at least an inch of space to allow for expansion. To freeze smaller servings, use an ice cube tray. To defrost, thaw in the fridge until liquified. At this point, the half-and-half may have a curdled appearance. This is normal and even though it may not look pretty, it’s perfectly fine to consume.

What to serve with a chicken and pasta casserole

I like to serve a vegetable or fruit along with the baked ranch chicken. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Sweet and savory Bourbon Glazed Carrots

Roasted Asparagus and Mushrooms drizzled with butter and fresh herbs

One-pan Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

Easy, healthy and quick Veggie Packs

Fresh Strawberry Spinach Salad sprinkled with almonds

Fruit Salad brightened with honey lime dressing

A chicken pasta dish with a serving spoon.

Recipe Variations

Sneak in some steamed broccoli to the mix.
Try adding cooked and crumbled bacon for an over the top dish.
Make it spicy by using Pepper Jack cheese.
Sprinkle some chopped green onions on top.

If you find yourself cooking with chicken a lot and want to know for sure that your chicken is cooked thoroughly, head to my informational page on ways to make sure your chicken is cooked all the way but still remains juicy and delicious.

Looking for dessert ideas to serve with chicken pasta casserole? With over 150 sweet recipes to choose from, you’re sure to find the perfect end to your meal.

If you’re craving chocolate, try my no-fail Fudgy Brownies, gooey Chocolate Cobbler with a scoop of ice cream or salty-sweet Chocolate Chip Cookies.

In the mood for something fruity? Our family favorites include Pistachio Lemon Bars, Banana Cream Pie, Apple Crisp and Strawberry Pie. Enjoy!

FAQs and tips

What pasta should I use for cheesy chicken casserole?

Most any shape of pasta will be great in this dish. You could try spaghetti or fettuccine, bow tie, fusilli or penne. Orzo, rigatoni or even egg noodles would work as well. Experiment with a new shape each time you make the casserole to change things up.

Can chicken pasta casserole be made ahead of time?

Yes, it’s easy to make the meal ahead of time and bake it when you’re ready. Prepare the casserole through step three. Cover and store in the fridge for a day or two.

Remove the pan from the fridge about 30-60 minutes before cooking to allow it to warm to room temperature. Then uncover and bake until bubbly and heated through.

Can chicken casserole leftovers be reheated?

If you have leftovers, you can reheat them in the oven or the microwave. To heat in the oven, let the casserole sit out for 20-30 minutes before heating. Place the leftovers in a baking pan, cover and bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes.
When reheating in the microwave, use a container that is microwave safe. Cover the food before heating for about 2 minutes, depending on the amount of leftovers and the wattage of your microwave.

More Chicken Casserole Recipes

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.