If you’re craving a cozy, comforting dinner that’s packed with cheesy goodness and just the right amount of spice, then this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe is going to be your new go-to. I absolutely love how this dish turns out—creamy, cheesy, and loaded with tender shredded chicken—making weeknight dinners feel like a warm hug. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through everything so you nail this recipe every time.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Effortless Comfort Food: Made with pantry staples and rotisserie chicken for a quick weeknight meal.
- Perfectly Cheesy: That Mexican cheese blend creates a creamy, melty texture that’s irresistible.
- Flavor Packed: A little kick from ROTEL and red pepper flakes brightens up the dish beautifully.
- Crowd Pleaser: My family goes crazy for this, and it’s great for potlucks or meal prep.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe is in how simple the ingredients are but how perfectly they all come together. You’ll find most of these in your pantry or fridge, and the rotisserie chicken makes it super convenient without skimping on flavor.
- Spaghetti pasta: I like using regular dry spaghetti, but you could try whole wheat or gluten-free if you prefer.
- Cream of chicken soup: This is the creamy base that ties everything together—don’t add water; keep it thick and rich.
- ROTEL (diced tomatoes & green chilies): Adds just the right amount of spice and freshness without overpowering.
- Sour cream: For that extra creamy tang that makes it feel indulgent.
- Low sodium chicken broth: Helps balance the flavors without making it too salty.
- Mexican cheese blend: I divide the cheese to mix some in the sauce and save some to top it off for that perfect golden crust.
- Garlic powder & onion powder: Essential for building savory depth.
- Salt, black pepper & crushed red pepper flakes: Season and add a subtle spicy kick—you can adjust the heat to your liking.
- Rotisserie chicken breast: A quick shortcut that adds tenderness and protein. You can shred it easily with your hands.
- Fresh chopped parsley: For a fresh, herby garnish that brightens the dish before serving.
Variations
One of my favorite things about the Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe is how easy it is to customize to your taste or dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to get creative here and make it your own!
- Use different cheeses: I’ve swapped in sharp cheddar or mozzarella before, and each gives a slightly different but delicious melty vibe.
- Add veggies: Toss in some sautéed bell peppers or spinach to sneak in some greens without losing the creamy texture.
- Make it spicy: For those who love heat, add extra crushed red pepper flakes or a splash of hot sauce—my husband always asks for this.
- Make it lighter: Swap the sour cream for Greek yogurt and use reduced-fat cheese to cut the richness but keep the creaminess.
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Cook the Pasta
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F, and lightly spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray—it keeps everything from sticking and makes cleanup easier. Then, cook your spaghetti according to the package instructions until it’s just al dente. Drain it well because you don’t want any extra water diluting the creamy sauce later on. Set it aside while you prep the rest.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Sauce
In the same pot you used for the pasta (no need to dirty another dish—yay for fewer dishes!), stir together the two cans of cream of chicken soup, the entire can of ROTEL with its juices, sour cream, chicken broth, and 1 cup of the shredded Mexican cheese. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Mix everything thoroughly until it’s smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Combine Pasta and Chicken
Fold in the cooked pasta and shredded rotisserie chicken into the sauce. This part I love because everything gets coated so well, making sure every forkful is packed with flavor and cheesy goodness. Don’t rush this—gently toss to avoid breaking the pasta or shredding the chicken unevenly.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pour this creamy mixture into your prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese over the top. Cover it tightly with a piece of aluminum foil (nonstick is best here) and bake for about 20 minutes until it’s bubbly and heated through. Then, remove the foil and let it bake for an additional 5-10 minutes so you get that gorgeous golden cheese crust on top. This last step always makes my kitchen smell amazing!
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once out of the oven, sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley over the top for a pop of color and freshness. Now it’s ready to serve! Grab your favorite fork and dig in—you’ll love how satisfying this meal feels.
Pro Tips for Making Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: Cooking to al dente keeps the spaghetti from turning mushy after baking.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: It’s a life-saver for quick meals and adds delicious flavor without extra effort.
- Cheese Layering: Adding cheese in two parts—inside the mix and on top—ensures melty goodness throughout and a crisp golden topping.
- Cover While Baking: Keep the dish covered initially to trap moisture, then remove the foil at the end to let the cheese brown perfectly.
How to Serve Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Garnishes
I always top the bake with freshly chopped parsley—it adds such a lovely pop of green and bright herb flavor that balances the creamy, cheesy richness perfectly. Sometimes I sprinkle a little extra crushed red pepper flakes if everyone’s feeling adventurous!
Side Dishes
This bake pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad or steamed veggies like broccoli or green beans to cut through the richness. I’ve also served it alongside garlic bread for a totally indulgent meal that everyone raves about.
Creative Ways to Present
For family gatherings or potlucks, I scoop this bake into individual ramekins and sprinkle a little extra cheese and parsley before broiling for a couple of minutes—super cute and everyone loves their own cheesy portion. You could also garnish with sliced avocado or a dollop of sour cream for a creamy finish with a twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers from this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake store wonderfully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I always let it cool completely before sealing the container to keep things fresh. Reheating is so easy and still tastes fantastic.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this bake a couple of times, and it works great! Just make sure to cool it completely, then cover tightly with foil and pop it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.
Reheating
To reheat, I like warming it in the oven at 350°F covered with foil to retain moisture, usually for about 15-20 minutes until heated through. If you’re in a hurry, microwave it covered for a few minutes, stirring halfway. Adding a splash of broth or water before reheating helps keep it creamy.
FAQs
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Can I make this Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dish up to combining the pasta and sauce, then refrigerate it covered for a few hours before baking. This makes it super convenient for busy days or busy weeknights.
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What can I substitute for rotisserie chicken?
If you don’t have rotisserie chicken, cooked shredded chicken breast or even leftover cooked chicken works well. You could also use cooked turkey or canned chicken in a pinch.
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Is this recipe spicy?
The recipe has a mild kick thanks to the ROTEL tomatoes with green chilies and the crushed red pepper flakes, but it’s easily adjustable—skip the red pepper for a tamer dish or add more for extra heat.
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Can I use a different pasta?
Yes! While spaghetti is traditional here, penne, rotini, or any pasta shape you love will work just fine. Just keep an eye on cooking times to keep it al dente.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe holds a special place in my heart—it’s the recipe I turn to when I want something creamy, cheesy, and comforting without spending hours in the kitchen. The combination of rotisserie chicken, melted cheese, and just a hint of spicy tomato makes it a total crowd-pleaser. I promise once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to it, whether for a cozy family dinner or a potluck favorite. Give it a try, and let me know how it turns out in your kitchen!
Print
Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, comforting casserole perfect for an easy weeknight dinner. Made with tender rotisserie chicken, creamy soups, a touch of spice from ROTEL tomatoes, and lots of melted Mexican cheese blend, it combines hearty pasta with rich flavors for a crowd-pleasing meal.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 12 ounces dry spaghetti pasta (about 3/4 of the box)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup (10 ounces each, undiluted – do not add water)
- 1 can ROTEL (10 ounces, undrained)
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup low sodium chicken broth
Cheese and Protein
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend, divided
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain the pasta well and set aside for a minute to avoid clumping.
- Mix Sauce: In the same pot used for cooking the pasta, combine the cream of chicken soups, undrained ROTEL, sour cream, low sodium chicken broth, 1 cup of the Mexican cheese blend, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients into a creamy sauce.
- Combine Pasta and Chicken: Fold the cooked pasta and shredded rotisserie chicken breast into the sauce mixture until everything is evenly coated.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Mexican cheese blend evenly over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole with nonstick aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to allow the cheese on top to brown and become slightly crispy.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy your comforting cheesy chicken spaghetti!
Notes
- This dish uses rotisserie chicken for a quick and convenient protein addition.
- The combination of cream of chicken soup and ROTEL adds both creaminess and a mild kick of spice.
- For a richer flavor, use a high-quality Mexican cheese blend that melts well.
- You can substitute cooked chicken if preferred, but rotisserie chicken adds great flavor and convenience.
- Ensure pasta is cooked al dente to prevent it from becoming overly soft when baked.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 454 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 651 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 76 mg