Description

A creamy, one-dish weeknight dinner featuring penne pasta, rotisserie chicken, crispy bacon, and a rich ranch cheese sauce. It’s a crowd-pleasing comfort food that comes together in under 45 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound penne or rigatoni pasta
3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 cup heavy cream
1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella cheese
2 stalks green onions, sliced (optional)
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Olive oil for cooking

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Cook bacon until crispy, then crumble and set aside. Dice the cooked chicken and grate the cheeses.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente (8-10 minutes). Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
In a large skillet over medium heat, warm olive oil and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute.
Add heavy cream and sour cream to the skillet. Stir in ranch seasoning and simmer for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cream cheese until melted, then add cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses until smooth.
Add the drained pasta, diced chicken, and half of the crumbled bacon to the sauce. Toss to combine. Add reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Top with remaining cheese and bacon.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Optionally broil for 2-3 minutes for extra browning.
Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with green onions and black pepper.

Notes

Do not rinse the pasta after draining. Use full-fat dairy for the best texture. Shred your own cheese to ensure smooth melting. Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the sauce to set. This dish does not freeze well due to the dairy content.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 4
Sodium: 850
Fat: 32
Saturated Fat: 18
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 2
Protein: 35

Keywords: chicken pasta bake, ranch pasta, one pot dinner, weeknight meals, comfort food, cheesy pasta, bacon pasta