Best 2 Baked Chicken Macaroni Casserole Recipes

**Baked Chicken Macaroni Casserole: A Comforting Classic with a Twist**

Indulge in the ultimate comfort food experience with our delectable Baked Chicken Macaroni Casserole. This classic dish combines succulent chicken, tender macaroni, creamy cheese sauce, and a golden-brown breadcrumb topping for a hearty and satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights, potlucks, or cozy family dinners, this casserole is sure to become a favorite. Our recipe offers two variations: a traditional version with a homemade cheese sauce and a quick-and-easy version using a store-bought sauce. Additionally, we provide a vegetarian alternative, replacing the chicken with a medley of roasted vegetables, for those seeking a meatless option. Get ready to savor this timeless dish with our detailed instructions and step-by-step guide.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

MACARONI AND CHEESY CHICKEN BAKED CASSEROLE

Macaroni and Cheesy Chicken Baked Casserole image

Take your mac and cheese weeknight dinner to a whole new level with this veggie-kissed casserole. The crunchy cheese and bread crumb topping makes a perfect finish for the creamy filling.

Provided by By Brooke Lark

Categories Entree

Time 1h5m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 9 oz)
4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion salt
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon pepper
3 cups milk
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 oz)
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli florets
1 1/2 cups Progresso™ panko crispy bread crumbs
4 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
In 5-quart Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Beat in flour, onion salt, garlic salt and pepper with whisk until thickened. Cook 1 minute longer. Beat in milk. Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring frequently; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of the cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni, chicken and frozen broccoli. Pour into baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top.
In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and melted butter; stir until combined. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.
Bake 33 to 36 minutes or until mixture is bubbly (at least 165°F in center) and bread crumbs are browned.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 550, Carbohydrate 44 g, Cholesterol 100 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 2 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 16 g, ServingSize About 1 1/4 cups, Sodium 720 mg, Sugar 6 g, TransFat 1 g

BAKED CHICKEN MACARONI CASSEROLE

Baked Chicken Macaroni Casserole image

Martha St. Clair of Salem, Illinois writes, "I got this recipe from a ladies' circle years ago, and have had many requests for it." The great-great-grandmother adds, "It's a real crowd pleaser, and I know, because my family is a crowd!"

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 1h10m

Yield 10 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

3 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) chicken broth
2 cans (10-3/4 ounces each) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
1/3 cup finely chopped onion
1 can (8 ounces) sliced water chestnuts, drained
1 jar (6 ounces) sliced mushrooms
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
1 jar (2 ounces) sliced pimientos, drained
1 tablespoon soy sauce
4 cups herb-flavored stuffing mix
1/2 cup butter, melted

Steps:

In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Refrigerate overnight. , Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Toss the stuffing mix with butter; sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-55 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 438 calories, Fat 23g fat (12g saturated fat), Cholesterol 87mg cholesterol, Sodium 1177mg sodium, Carbohydrate 34g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 23g protein.

Tips:

Use a variety of cheeses to create a more flavorful casserole. A good combination is to use a sharp cheddar cheese, a mild cheddar cheese, and a Parmesan cheese.
Add some vegetables to the casserole to make it more nutritious. Some good options include broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots.
If you want a crispy topping, sprinkle some bread crumbs or crushed crackers on top of the casserole before baking.
Bake the casserole until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. This usually takes about 30 minutes.
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This will help it to set and make it easier to cut.

Conclusion:

Baked chicken macaroni casserole is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a family meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover chicken. With a few simple tips, you can make a casserole that is sure to please everyone at the table.