🧀 Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake

Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Pasta:
12 oz penne or rotini pasta
1 tablespoon butter
For the Chicken:
2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Sauce:
1 cup ranch dressing
1 cup heavy cream
½ cup chicken broth
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
For Topping:
6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Directions:
Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain, toss with 1 tablespoon butter, and set aside.
Prepare the Chicken: In a bowl, season the cooked chicken with garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
Make the Sauce: In a large skillet, whisk together ranch dressing, heavy cream, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and onion powder. Simmer for 2 minutes.
Add Cheese: Stir in 2 cups cheddar cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese until melted and smooth.
Combine Everything: Add cooked pasta and seasoned chicken to the sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
Assemble & Bake: Transfer to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Top with crumbled bacon and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese.
Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
Serve & Time:
Serves: 6
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes