Chicken pasta casserole is the ultimate comfort food—creamy, cheesy, and packed with flavor. This dish combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, flavorful sauce, all baked together to create a warm, satisfying meal. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner, meal prepping for the week, or feeding a crowd, chicken pasta casserole is an easy and crowd-pleasing choice that’s sure to become a staple in your recipe collection.
The base of the casserole is made with cooked pasta, usually penne or rotini, which holds the sauce and cheese beautifully. The chicken, typically shredded or cubed, is cooked until tender and then mixed with the pasta. You can use leftover chicken or cook fresh chicken breasts or thighs for the dish. The chicken adds protein and flavor, making the casserole both filling and hearty.
What really elevates the chicken pasta casserole is the creamy sauce. A combination of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, or even a homemade béchamel sauce creates a rich and velvety texture. Seasoned with garlic, onion, and a mix of herbs like thyme or oregano, the sauce infuses every layer of the casserole with savory flavor. For extra depth, adding a bit of grated Parmesan or mozzarella to the sauce ensures a cheesy, melt-in-your-mouth result.
Once everything is combined, the casserole is topped with more cheese—usually shredded cheddar or mozzarella—which melts and forms a golden, bubbly crust as it bakes in the oven. The result is a comforting, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for serving with a side salad or steamed vegetables.
Chicken pasta casserole is not only delicious but also highly customizable. You can add vegetables like broccoli, spinach, or bell peppers to the mix for added nutrition and color. For those who love a bit of spice, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or some chopped jalapeños can give the dish a little kick. The casserole also makes for great leftovers, as the flavors continue to meld together and taste even better the next day.
Whether you’re looking for a weeknight dinner or a dish to impress guests, chicken pasta casserole is a delicious and easy option that will satisfy every appetite.

Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or cubed
- 3 cups pasta uncooked, penne or rotini
- 1 cup cheese shredded cheddar
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup 10.5 oz can
- 1 cup milk whole or 2%
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, cooked pasta, cheese, cream of mushroom soup, and milk. Mix well.
- Transfer the mixture into a greased casserole dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
This casserole is so easy and delicious! My kids loved it!
Glad your kids enjoyed it! It’s a great way to get them to eat chicken. 😄
I just mixed everything and put in dish, hope it good!!!
Best casserole I’ve had in ages! But it’s kinda not like a regular pasta dish, ya know?
yum!!! +++ so cheesy and delish! 10/10 😋
This recipe makes no sense! Who uses THAT much cheese?? 😂
I don’t like mushrooms. Can I use something else instead?
Yummy! I added some garlic and it turned out great! 👍
Garlic sounds like a great idea! I’ll have to try that next time. 😋
I dunno… garlic in a casserole? Sounds weird to me. Just take away from the chicken flavor, ya know?
I don’t know about this one. Cream of mushroom soup? Really? Seems a bit bland to me.
Not bad but I think too much cheese. Made it more like a cheese pool. Next time I’ll use less.
Quick and yummy! I added some veggies for color.
5 stars!!! But I mixed spaghetti instead of penne. Still tasty!
This casserole was a hit with my family! So easy to make and super tasty. Definitely making it again! 🙂
I dunno, seems kinda basic. Like, how’s that really a ‘hit’?
Glad to hear it was a hit! We loved it too, so comforting!
Did you say 3 cups of pasta? Wow that’s a lot! I’ll try it but seems excessive.
3 cups? That’s so much pasta! Are sure it won’t be too dry? 🤔
I thought so too, but maybe it’s just the right amount for a family meal. Can’t wait to try it!
This casserole is so yummy! I added some veggies and it was delish! 10/10!
That sounds amazing! I love adding veggies to my casseroles too. What kind did you use?
This casserole is so easy and delicious! My kids loved it.
Just okay. I’ve had better casseroles. Wouldn’t make it again.
I substituted chicken with tofu and it turned out fine. Still tasty!
Tofu? In a chicken casserole? That’s a bold choice! I’ve never thought of that. Glad it worked out for you!
This casserole is a lifesaver! Super easy and my kids loved it!
I had to leave it in 10 mins longer and it was still not brown. Sad. 🙁
I used leftover turkey instead of chicken. Still turned out great!
Tasty and filling! Perfect for leftovers. I swear I could eat this every day!
I totally agree! It’s one of my favorites too! Easy to make and always comes out great!
Not as good as I hoped. The cream of mushroom soup was super mushy.
I actually loved it! Maybe let it cook a little longer next time? The cream of mushroom can be a bit weird, but I thought it was nice!
I dunno about using that cream of mushroom stuff, kinda gross. Can I use something else?
I found it too creamy. Maybe less soup next time?
Easy peasy! My husband said I’m the best cook now. 😂
That’s awesome! I love how easy this is to make too! My kids are gonna love it. 😊
Best cook? Really? It’s just a casserole. 😂 Just wait till your husband tries my lasagna!
Chicken? Casserole? I thought it was pasta salad? I’m confused.
This is a great recipe! So comforting. Reminds me of my grandma’s cooking!
Just made this tonight. Expecting leftovers for lunch tomorrow!
Hmm, IDK about cream of mushroom soup. Isn’t it kinda gross? I prefer real mushrooms.
That sounds great! Leftovers are the best part! What did you serve it with?
Simple and quick. I added some veggies and it turned out great! My kids loved it.
Perfect for a weeknight dinner! Easy-peasy.
Easy recipe, but my pasta got overcooked. Maybe instructions should specify less time for lighter pasta?
I had the same issue with my pasta too! Maybe the cooking time should be adjusted for those using different kinds of pasta. Thanks for bringing it up!
This was super easy to make! My kids loved it. Will definitely make again!
So tasty! I added some veggies and it turned out great. Might be my new go-to recipe.
Yummy! But I use chicken thighs instead of breast, more juicy. 😋
Chicken thighs are a great choice! Juicy and full of flavor! 🤤
Not for me. Too cheesy and heavy. But if you like cheesy… then go for it!
Soo good! I added some broccoli for extra veggies. Will make again!
That sounds delicious! Broccoli is a great addition for a healthy touch. Can’t wait to try it myself!
I forgot the cheese! 🙈 Still tasted good tho.
Cheese or no cheese, it sounds delish! Sometimes you gotta improvise. 😊
Would rather have tacos. Just saying.
Tacos are great, but this casserole is a comfort food classic! Give it a try!
Easy peasy! My terminally picky husband even ate it! haha
Haha, that’s awesome! It’s always great when you can please a picky eater! 😊
I watched my cousin make it, and it looks so much more harder than it is.
I don’t know about this. Cream of mushroom soup? Really? Seems kinda weird to me.
This ain’t real cooking. Just dumping stuff together. 🙄
Why use chicken? What about tofu? Is that not a thing? 🤔
Not bad, but I think I burnt it a lil bit 😅
Watched my friend make this, looked relaxin, but I’m not a fan of casserole. Too mushy for me.
Eh, wasn’t really my thing. I prefer regular pasta with red sauce.
I dunno, can you make it vegetarian? Chickpeas instead of chicken? Asking for a friend.
Awesome casserole! I substituted the cheese for mozzarella and added olives. 😍
Not enough flavor. I think it needs more spices. Maybe garlic or onion?
I love this! Great comfort food. My kids gobbled it up! 😍
Needs more flavor! It’s kinda bland. Maybe add some spices?
Cheese! Yum! Can I put more cheese?!
I thought we weren’t supposed to overload on cheese? It can get too greasy, you know.
More cheese is always a good idea! Just make sure it melts well. Can’t wait to try it with extra cheddar!
Chicken and pasta together? Is it really gonna work??
I made this for dinner last night and everyone loved it! Super easy and tasty. Will make again!
So glad to hear that! This is one of my family favorites too! 😍
Absolutely delicious! I used rotini and it turned out perfect!
This was super easy! My kids loved it! Will definitely make again.
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s always a win when the kids enjoy it. 😊