Ultimate Chicken Spaghetti Casserole

A creamy, cheesy, comfort food masterpiece that combines tender chicken, al dente spaghetti, and a rich, velvety sauce—all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners or potlucks!

Ingredients

For the Casserole:

12 oz (340g) spaghetti, broken in half
3 cups (420g) cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great!)
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
1 (10.5 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
1 cup (240ml) sour cream
½ cup (120ml) milk
4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
1 small onion, finely diced
1 bell pepper, diced (any color)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups (230g) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)

For the Topping:

1 cup (50g) buttery crackers, crushed (Ritz or Club)
2 tbsp butter, melted
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

1. Prep & Cook Pasta:

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cook spaghetti in salted water until al dente (1-2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.

2. Sauté Veggies:

In a large skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper in 1 tbsp oil until soft (~5 mins). Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.

3. Make the Sauce:

Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese, stirring until melted.
Stir in cream soups, broth, sour cream, milk, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth.
Fold in chicken, cooked spaghetti, and 1 ½ cups cheddar cheese.

4. Assemble & Bake:

Transfer mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Top with remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese.
Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over the top.
Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Garnish with fresh parsley.

Why You’ll Love It:

✔️ Creamy, cheesy, and loaded with flavor—comfort food at its finest!
✔️ Meal-prep friendly—assemble ahead and bake when ready.
✔️ Customizable—add mushrooms, jalapeños, or swap in turkey!

Tips & Variations:

🌶 Spicy Kick? Add diced green chiles or a dash of hot sauce.
🍞 No Crackers? Use panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for crunch.
🍗 Shortcut: Use canned chicken or leftover holiday turkey.

Serve with a crisp salad or garlic bread for a complete meal! 🍝🔥

Want a lightened-up version or freezer instructions? Let me know!