Description
Hearty chicken cordon bleu pasta bake delivers classic Swiss-French flavor combinations in a comforting casserole. Gooey cheese, crispy breadcrumbs, and rich ham elevate this family-friendly dinner that will satisfy hungry diners seeking familiar yet exciting meal options.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (453.6 g) cavatappi pasta
- 2 cups rotisserie chicken, diced
- 3 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
- 2 (10.5 oz) cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 cups half & half
- 3 tbsps Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp season salt (Lowry’s brand)
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 0.75 cup plain panko bread crumbs
- 0.25 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Prep Station: Preheat oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray, establishing a readied cooking environment.
- Pasta Preparation: Boil cavatappi in salted water until perfectly al dente, then drain and reserve, ensuring optimal pasta texture.
- Creamy Fusion: Whisk cream of chicken soup, half & half, Dijon mustard, parsley, seasoned salt, and black pepper into a silky, harmonious sauce that promises rich flavor complexity.
- Protein Integration: Fold shredded Swiss cheese and rotisserie chicken into the creamy base, creating a uniform mixture that marries protein and dairy elements seamlessly.
- Pasta Incorporation: Gently blend cooked pasta into the chicken-cheese mixture, ensuring each strand is luxuriously coated with the decadent sauce.
- Assembly: Transfer the combined mixture into the prepared casserole dish, smoothing the surface for even heat distribution and aesthetic appeal.
- Crispy Topping: Combine melted butter, panko breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese to craft a golden, crunchy crown that will elevate the dish’s textural profile.
- Final Transformation: Sprinkle the buttery breadcrumb mixture across the pasta, then bake for 25-30 minutes until the top achieves a stunning bronze finish and the edges bubble with anticipation.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Choose cavatappi for its corkscrew shape that traps sauce beautifully, but penne or rotini work equally well if unavailable.
- Cheese Selection: Use high-quality Swiss cheese for authentic flavor; avoid pre-shredded varieties as they contain anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
- Crumb Coating Trick: Toast panko breadcrumbs briefly in a dry skillet before mixing with butter for extra crunch and deeper golden color.
- Rotisserie Chicken Hack: Shred chicken while still warm for easier pulling and more tender meat texture in the final dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 634
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1020 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 57 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 92 mg