A comforting and easy-to-make casserole with tender chicken, egg noodles, and a creamy, cheesy sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or potluck.
Ingredients:
- Protein:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- Pasta:
- 1 (12-ounce) package egg noodles
- Sauce:
- 1 (10.75-ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup milk or chicken broth
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Vegetables (Optional, but recommended):
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- Cheese:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack)
- Topping (Optional):
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter.
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Onions (Optional): If using onions, in a small pan, sautee the onions until they are translucent.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large bowl, combine the condensed cream of chicken soup, milk (or broth), sour cream, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked noodles, shredded chicken, and thawed peas and carrots (if using), and sauteed onions (if used) to the sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the noodle mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Optional Topping: If desired, combine bread crumbs with melted butter and sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Tips and Variations:
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables like diced celery, mushrooms, or broccoli.
- Cheese: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella, Gruyere, or Colby Jack.
- Chicken: You can substitute cooked turkey or ham for the chicken.
- Spice: Add a dash of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for a little heat.
- Herbs: Fresh herbs like parsley or chives can be added as a garnish before serving.
- Cream of Mushroom: Cream of mushroom soup can be substituted for the cream of chicken soup.
- Make ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. Add about 10-15 minutes to the cooking time if baking from cold.