Best 3 Make Ahead Cheesy Southwest Chicken And Pasta Casserole Recipes

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Indulge in the flavors of the Southwest with our delectable Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole! This hearty and comforting dish is a perfect blend of tender chicken, zesty spices, creamy cheese, and al dente pasta, all baked to perfection. It's a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving for more.

Our recipe collection features three variations of this mouthwatering casserole, each with its own unique twist. The classic Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole is a crowd-pleaser, featuring a combination of shredded chicken, flavorful taco seasoning, corn, black beans, and a creamy cheese sauce. For a vegetarian delight, try our Southwest Veggie and Pasta Casserole, packed with a variety of roasted vegetables, black beans, and a zesty tomato sauce. And for those who love a bit of heat, our Spicy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole brings the fire with a kick of cayenne pepper and jalapeños.

All three recipes are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making them perfect for busy weeknights or potluck gatherings. Whether you're a fan of classic comfort food or enjoy a spicy kick, our Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole collection has something for everyone. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's embark on a culinary journey to the Southwest!

Let's cook with our recipes!

CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN CASSEROLE



Cheesy Southwest Chicken Casserole image

Serve chicken and pasta casserole for your family's Southwest cuisine night - a cheesy meal.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Entree

Time 1h10m

Yield 5

Number Of Ingredients 10

3 cups uncooked mafalda (mini-lasagna noodle) pasta (6 ounces)
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
1/4 cup sliced ripe olives
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/3 cup milk
8 medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup)
1 large roma (plum) tomato, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 jar (16 ounces) double Cheddar cheese pasta sauce
1 package (9 ounces) frozen cooked smoke-flavor chicken breast strips
1 cup shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (4 ounces)

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°. Spray rectangular baking dish, 11x7x1 1/2 inches, with cooking spray. Cook and drain pasta as directed on package.
  • Mix pasta and remaining ingredients except cheese in large bowl. Spoon into baking dish.
  • Cover and bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and casserole is bubbly.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 490, Carbohydrate 40 g, Cholesterol 100 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 3 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 1110 mg

CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND RICE CASSEROLE



Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Rice Casserole image

Easy, kid-friendly, healthy, yummy chicken and rice casserole. Double the recipe to have one casserole to bake right away and one to freeze for later.

Provided by Rena

Categories     Chicken and Rice Casserole

Time 1h35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 (7 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
¼ cup olive oil, divided
salt and ground black pepper to taste
3 ½ cups water
1 (10 ounce) bag yellow rice
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
2 medium carrots, shredded
2 cloves garlic, chopped
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Place chicken in a small baking dish and drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil, turning to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Cut into strips or cubes when cool enough to handle. Leave the oven on.
  • While the chicken bakes, bring water and 2 tablespoons olive oil to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in rice. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Fluff lightly with fork.
  • While the rice cooks, heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, bell pepper, carrots, and garlic until tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Place rice, vegetable mixture, chicken, 1 1/2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, beans, and tomatoes in a large bowl and stir until well combined. Spoon into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover with aluminum foil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 10 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 409.3 calories, Carbohydrate 41 g, Cholesterol 53.3 mg, Fat 16.8 g, Fiber 5 g, Protein 24.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 990.8 mg, Sugar 2.7 g

CHEESY PASTA CASSEROLE



Cheesy Pasta Casserole image

This rich, cheesy side dish is such an excellent meal extender that I always keep it in mind whenever I feel my menu needs a boost. It's a quick and easy casserole to fix, and you can easily double the recipe to feed a larger crowd.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 10

5 cups uncooked egg noodles
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon onion salt
1-1/3 cups milk
8 ounces process cheese (Velveeta), cubed
TOPPING:
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs
1-1/2 teaspoons butter, melted

Steps:

  • Cook noodles according to package directions; drain. In a small saucepan, melt butter. Stir in the flour, garlic salt and onion salt until smooth. Gradually stir in milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Reduce heat. Add the cheese, stirring until melted. Stir in the noodles. , Transfer to a greased shallow 1-1/2-qt. baking dish. Toss bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over top. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 334 calories, Fat 17g fat (10g saturated fat), Cholesterol 74mg cholesterol, Sodium 701mg sodium, Carbohydrate 30g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 14g protein.

Tips:

  • Use a variety of vegetables: This recipe calls for bell peppers, corn, and black beans, but you can also add other vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, or carrots.
  • Use a flavorful cheese: A Mexican-blend cheese or a sharp cheddar cheese will add a lot of flavor to this casserole.
  • Make it ahead of time: This casserole can be made up to 24 hours in advance. Simply assemble the casserole and refrigerate it until you're ready to bake it.
  • Serve with your favorite toppings: This casserole is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with your favorite toppings such as sour cream, salsa, or guacamole.

Conclusion:

This make-ahead cheesy southwest chicken and pasta casserole is a delicious and easy meal that's perfect for busy weeknights. It's packed with flavor and can be made with a variety of ingredients, making it a versatile dish that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give this casserole a try.

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