The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole

(1)
The Ultimate Chicken and Noodle Casserole
Prep Time:
35 mins
Bake Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 5 mins
Servings:
6

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces dried gemelli pasta (1-2/3 cups) or dried medium noodles (3 cups)

  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine

  • 1 ½ cups sliced cremini mushrooms or sliced button mushrooms

  • 1 cup chopped onion

  • 3 cups chopped cooked chicken*

  • 1 15 ounce bottle mushroom alfredo pasta sauce

  • 1 ½ cups shredded Italian-blend cheeses (6 ounces)

  • 1 9-10 ounce package frozen cut asparagus or frozen peas, thawed

  • ½ cup dairy sour cream

  • ½ cup finely chopped bottled roasted red sweet peppers

  • 1 teaspoon dried fines herbes or Italian seasoning, crushed

  • ½ cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs) or fine dry bread crumbs

  • ¼ cup sliced almonds or chopped pecans, toasted

  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

  • 2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Directions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Return to pan.

  2. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat until melted. Add mushrooms and onion; cook and stir until mushrooms are tender. Stir into pasta along with the chicken, pasta sauce, Italian-blend cheeses, asparagus, sour cream, sweet peppers and fines herbes. Transfer mixture to a 13x9x2-inch baking dish (3-quart rectangular).

  3. In a small bowl, combine panko, nuts, Parmesan cheese and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Sprinkle over chicken mixture. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through and topping is golden. Makes 6 servings.

*

If you don't have any cooked chicken on hand, pick some up at the supermarket. Look for refrigerated or frozen chopped, cooked chicken or buy a deli-roasted chicken. It will yield 1-1/2 to 2 cups of boneless chopped meat. If you like, you can cook your own. Place 1-1/4 pounds of skinless, boneless chicken breasts and 2 cups water in a large skillet. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 12 to 14 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink (170 degrees). Drain well. Chop chicken. 1-1/4 pounds of boneless breasts with give you about 3 cups cubed cooked chicken.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

600 Calories
34g Fat
36g Carbs
38g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 6
Calories 600
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 34g 44%
Saturated Fat 17g 85%
Cholesterol 141mg 47%
Sodium 797mg 35%
Total Carbohydrate 36g 13%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 38g
Vitamin C 49mg 245%
Calcium 323mg 25%
Iron 3mg 17%
Potassium 590mg 13%
Related Articles