Description
Hearty cheesy chicken spinach spaghetti bake delivers comfort with Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Creamy pasta layers blend tender chicken, fresh spinach, and melted cheese for a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 12 oz (340 g) dried spaghetti
- 16 oz (454 g) sour cream
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 10.5-oz (298 g) cans unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 10 oz (283 g) frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 6 oz (170 g) French Fried Onions, divided
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9 × 13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
- Pasta Cooking: Boil spaghetti in salted water until al dente, then drain thoroughly in a colander, ensuring minimal moisture remains.
- Ingredient Fusion: In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, drained spinach, Monterey Jack cheese, minced garlic, and half the French fried onions, mixing until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Assembly: Gently fold the drained spaghetti into the creamy mixture, ensuring complete coating of each pasta strand, then transfer to the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer.
- Topping and Baking: Sprinkle remaining Monterey Jack cheese and French fried onions over the casserole, then bake uncovered for 40-50 minutes until heated through, edges are bubbling, and the topping achieves a golden-brown crispness.
Notes
- Drain Thoroughly: Remove all excess water from spinach and pasta to prevent a watery, soggy casserole that could ruin the dish’s creamy texture.
- Uniform Chicken Cutting: Cut chicken into consistent bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor in every serving.
- Cheese Distribution: Sprinkle cheese evenly across the top and mix well within the mixture to create a perfect melty, cheesy experience in each bite.
- Crispy Topping Technique: Spread French fried onions carefully to achieve a golden-brown, crunchy layer that adds delightful texture and flavor contrast to the creamy pasta.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 525
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 950 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg