This Casserole is Epically Delicious & Super Easy!
Boy oh boy...do I have a recipe for you! Bacon & ranch would make it worth making but adding in chicken & bacon...well you've got one heck of a chicken bacon ranch casserole on your hands 🙂 If you can find 10 minutes in the morning before you go to work OR 10 minutes the previous night, you are golden.
The only prep work before tossing everything in the crockpot is precooking the pasta a bit. You CAN skip this part but I personally don't like the taste. I'm in search of a type/brand of pasta that can handle this cooking method. IF I find it, you guys will be the first to know.
Also, I used precooked chicken overnight. Again, super easy and less than 5 minutes to toss together. That recipe can be found here.
I'll not hold off any longer...this recipe is amazing. It got rave reviews all the way around too. Let us know if you like it.
You can check out the video right below, the step by step recipe, and the pinnable and printable versions are right at the bottom.
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Gather your ingredients:
- Pasta -I used Italian Trottole...it has a really cool shape
- Precooked Chicken - You can purchase rotisserie chicken OR you can make your own precooked (freezer) chicken
- Precooked bacon or bacon bits
- 1 stick of butter (not margarine)
- Shredded cheeses of your choice
- Eggs
- Sour cream
- Cream cheese
- Milk
- Ranch dressing mix
- Salt and pepper
Toss everything in the slow cooker:
- You can or you don't have to precook the pasta. Only partially if you do it...I prefer this taste to tossing it in straight out of the package. Some brands seem to do better than others and some shapes as well. This is the version I used. I've not tried using it in any slow cooker recipes without boiling it a bit first. I do know it's possible, I just haven't yet. It's also a very cool shape and has a great texture. I boiled it about 6 minutes...
- The chicken was cooked overnight...if you missed the link up top, that recipe is here.
- You can also use bacon OR bacon bits...it completely depends on your preferences AND the amount of time you have to deal with it. I was running short on time so I used these bacon bits that are nitrates.
Stir it up, cover and cook on low for up to 6 hours...
Creamy, gooey deliciousness the whole family will LOVE!
Here's the printable version of this recipe. Again...let us know how you like it! Have fun ROCKIN' THAT CROCK 🙂
Recipe
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
- 3 cups pasta
- 1 1/2 pounds precooked chicken
- 1 package bacon precooked
- 1 stick butter not margarine
- 3 1/2 cups shredded cheese divided
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Butter or spray the slow cooker insert.
- Toss everything in the crockpot except the reserved 1/2 cup of shredded cheeses.
- Stir it up well, cover and cook on low for up to six hours. It'll be done around 5 but the extra hour doesn't hurt anything. If you need it to make it a bit longer just add a little extra liquid.
- Add the last of the cheese, cover and allow to rest 15 to 20 minutes before serving.
How do you use the 4 eggs in this recipe, just crack them in?
Yes ma'am. Crack them and toss them in with everything else in step 2. If you'd like you can beat them first but it isn't necessary.
Thanks so much, making tomorrow can not wait.
You're absolutely welcome Becky. Any time 🙂
If you cook it on high for a shorter time will it work???
It sure should. I haven't tried it but I don't see any issue with the ingredients.
I am going to make this, it looks so good! But about how many servings. Do you think I could freeze and reheat the left overs :).
Thank you so much for this recipe.
Brenda, thanks so much for the praise. That's very sweet of you 🙂
Yes on freezing. It may get a little soggy when you freeze it but it still tastes good. I had to dab off excess freezer moisture with a paper towel. It wasn't a huge amount, but enough I didn't want to eat it.
Servings...thanks for bringing that to my attention. 6 to 8 is the answer and I'll get it updated too.
Have a wonderful day 🙂
Hi
I live in the uk and can't get ranch dressing mix
What can I substitute it with and how much
Thanks
Matt
Hey 🙂
You can make your own mix. There are a LOT of ranch dressing mix online, this is the link to mine. I've tweaked it a lot over the years to come up with something that works with most everything. 2 tablespoons equals 1 packet, but you can use a little more if you prefer a stronger flavor.
Here's the link to that post https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com/9-easy-crockpot-ranch-recipes/
If I'm using real bacon...do I cook it first or just chop it up and put it in the slow cooker with everything else?
You'll need to cook and crumble it first. It won't crisp up being raw and going straight in the crockpot. I usually bake it. I think it's easier personally. If you want to know about that, it's here https://www.slowcookerkitchen.com/bacon-maple-garlic-crock-pot-pork-loin/#Bake_Ahead_Bacon_for_the_Crock_Pot.
Do you cook the pasta before or mix it raw?
For this particular recipe, I cooked it just about half time. If you opt to use raw pasta, use a really good brand or it can get mushy.
i made this recipe and it was good. However, it was burnt around the edges, and the pasta was still a little tough for me. I think if I tweak it just a little it will be perfect. Maybe cook the pasta a little before adding to the mixture and add the chicken at the end. If you use a rotisserie chicken. If you use raw chicken this recipe and time would probably be fine. That’s just my opinion.
I'm sorry it didn't work out for you the first time. I would bet your slow cooker cooks a bit hotter than mine from the sound of it. I hope your tweaks work well 🙂