Description
This Crazy Good Casserole is a comforting, cheesy chicken and smoked turkey pasta bake that’s perfect for family dinners. Tender chicken and crispy smoked turkey are combined with creamy soup and gooey Monterey Jack cheese, baked to golden perfection over tender spiral pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 4-5 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 6 strips of smoked turkey, cooked and crumbled
Dairy
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Canned Goods
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
Pantry
- 1 box (16 ounces) dried spiral pasta
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Smoked Turkey: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the smoked turkey strips until they become crispy. Once cooked, crumble the turkey into small pieces and set aside. Keep the drippings in the skillet for cooking the chicken.
- Cook Chicken: Cut the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the skillet with the reserved turkey drippings. Season with garlic powder, salt, and pepper, then cook until the chicken is fully cooked through and lightly browned.
- Prepare Pasta: Cook the dried spiral pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and return it to the cooking pot.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the pot with the drained pasta, mix in the cooked chicken pieces, both cans of cream of chicken soup, and 1 cup of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly distribute the crumbled smoked turkey on top, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of smoked paprika or Italian seasoning when cooking the chicken.
- Make sure not to overcook the pasta initially, as it will bake again and could become mushy.
- This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if baking cold.
- Optional vegetables like peas or broccoli can be stirred in before baking for added nutrition.
