Description
This Chicken Noodle Casserole is a hearty and satisfying dish featuring tender chicken, egg noodles, and vegetables enveloped in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s perfect for family dinners and can be prepared ahead of time for convenience.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- Noodles and Chicken:
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles
- 3 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
- Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Vegetables:
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- Cheese and Topping:
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup crushed Ritz crackers or panko bread crumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Noodles:
- Preheat your oven to 350ยฐF (175ยฐC).
- Cook the egg noodles in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, following package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sautรฉ Aromatics:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
- Add the diced onion and sautรฉ until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- Reduce the heat to low and add the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk to the skillet, stirring until smooth.
- Season with dried basil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Let the mixture simmer gently for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, shredded chicken, thawed peas and carrots, and 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Pour the sauce over the mixture and stir until everything is well coated.
- Assemble the Casserole:
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
- Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese over the top.
- Add Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers (or panko bread crumbs) with the melted butter.
- Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole to create a crispy topping.
- Bake:
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbly around the edges.
- Serve:
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to let it set.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- For added flavor, consider using a mix of cheeses such as mozzarella or Monterey Jack.
- Feel free to substitute the peas and carrots with other vegetables like broccoli or green beans.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated. If baking from cold, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time.