Description

This Chicken Bacon Ranch Baked Penne is a creamy and comforting pasta casserole perfect for a hearty family dinner. It features tender chicken breast and crispy bacon mixed with penne pasta in a rich, homemade Alfredo sauce enhanced with ranch dressing. Topped with melted Mozzarella and baked until bubbly, this dish brings together classic flavors in an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing bake.

Ingredients

Scale

Sauce Ingredients

2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup milk (2% or whole milk)
3/4 cup salted butter
1 block (8 ounces) cream cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

Main Ingredients

1 pound penne pasta
1/2 pound cooked chicken breast (chopped or shredded, rotisserie chicken works great)
1/2 cup ranch dressing
6 slices cooked bacon (chopped)
1 cup freshly grated Mozzarella cheese
Freshly chopped parsley (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set it aside to prepare for the pasta bake.
Make Alfredo Sauce Base: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, heavy whipping cream, and milk until smooth and fully combined. Set this mixture aside.
Melt Butter and Cream Cheese: Over medium-low heat, melt the salted butter and cream cheese in a medium saucepan, stirring with a whisk until completely smooth.
Combine Sauce Ingredients: Slowly whisk the flour and milk mixture into the melted butter and cream cheese. Continue whisking until the sauce thickens, which takes a few minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese and garlic powder until you have a creamy, smooth Alfredo sauce.
Cook Pasta: Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain the pasta well and return it to the pot.
Combine Pasta with Chicken and Sauce: Add the cooked chicken and Alfredo sauce along with the ranch dressing to the pasta. Stir carefully to combine everything evenly.
Assemble the Bake: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the chopped cooked bacon and the grated Mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
Bake the Dish: Place the dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 25 minutes or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is fully melted and slightly golden.
Rest and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow it to stand for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley if desired and enjoy your comforting baked penne!

Notes

Using rotisserie chicken cuts down preparation time and adds flavor.
Make sure the sauce is thickened before removing from heat to prevent a runny bake.
Cooking pasta al dente helps the bake hold its texture without becoming mushy.
Feel free to swap mozzarella with other melting cheeses like provolone or cheddar for different flavor profiles.
Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.