This easy Baked Chicken and Spaghetti with cream cheese is a classic comfort food perfect for any night of the week. We mix cooked chicken and spaghetti into a creamy cheese sauce before topping with mozzarella and baking to perfection.
If you're looking for more baked pasta recipes, you can also try this Slow Cooker Tortellini Pasta Bake, Ground Beef Pasta Bake, or this Meatball Pasta Bake.
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Baked Chicken and Spaghetti Casserole
This simple weeknight chicken spaghetti meal is a family favorite around our house. In our kitchen, we often make it just as the recipe calls for. But just as often we like to make little tweaks here and there, whether to add a little spice, a different cheese or toss in some leftover veggies.
Speaking of leftovers, this is the perfect recipe to whip out when you find yourself with leftover cooked chicken. Whether you have cooked chicken breasts, crockpot shredded chicken, or a grocery store rotisserie chicken without a plan, they will all make an equally yummy casserole.
Another thing to love about this recipe? It makes a perfect freezer meal! Make one for now and one for later. If you're looking for some Cheap Dinner Recipes or some healthy chicken recipes, be sure to check out my list here for some dinner inspiration.
Key Ingredients
- Spaghetti - considering it is half of the name, we generally stick with spaghetti noodles here. However, it will work with other pastas like linguine, penne or even shells.
- Chicken Broth - you can use store bought or homemade chicken stock or broth.
- Cream Cheese - this is part of what makes the sauce so creamy, so I prefer to use full fat cream cheese.
- Sour Cream - sour cream is also added to the sauce to add extra creaminess as well as a little tartness. Full fat or lite will work great. You can also substitute a can of either Cream of Mushroom Soup or Cream of Chicken Soup!
- Parmesan Cheese - grated or shredded Parmesan cheese works best.
- Cooked Chicken - we love using either rotisserie chicken, or any leftover cooked chicken, because it saves time and dishes. You can absolutely cook chicken breasts for this recipe specifically if you’d like.
- Mozzarella Cheese - you can shred your own or buy pre-shredded. You can also try other types, or mixing and matching mozzarella, sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack.
How to Make Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Cook spaghetti. Cook spaghetti noodles to al dente according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
- Make the creamy sauce. In a large pot over medium heat, add the chicken broth, cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder. Bring to a low simmer and stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Add chicken and spread into baking dish. Remove from the heat, then add in the cooked spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, the diced chicken and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix to combine, then spread into a 9" x 13" casserole dish.
- Bake. Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and bake in a 350 degree preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
- Serve. Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot. Enjoy!
Easy Recipe Variations
Other than the substitutions we mentioned in the ingredients list, here are a few other ideas if you want to mix things up:
- Mexican Chicken Spaghetti - add diced tomatoes, green peppers and canned green chilis.
- Veggie Spaghetti Bake - skip the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, broccoli and/or spinach.
- Shrimp Spaghetti - instead of chicken, use small cooked shrimp.
- Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel Tomatoes - to many this is the classic way to make this casserole. Just add a 10-oz can of Rotel Diced Tomatoes along with a small can of green chilis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally speaking, rotisserie chicken should last for up to 3-4 days if stored properly in the refrigerator. Be sure that it has cooled completely before storing in an airtight container and putting into the fridge.
Yup! You can prep completely, then cover and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. Once you are ready to bake, remove from the fridge and let sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes while your oven preheats to 350 degrees. From there, bake as directed.
This works great as a freezer meal, particularly if you make and freeze them in disposable foil baking dishes. You can prep it completely, then cover and freeze before baking for up to 2 months. Once you are ready to eat, remove from the freezer for at least 30 minutes and then bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes - 1 hour (it will take longer to bake from frozen).
Storing and Reheating Instructions
- Refrigerator: cover any leftovers with aluminum foil and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: you can freeze this dish before baking. Simply wrap well with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and store for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat: cover and reheat leftovers in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes. If you are baking from frozen, remove from the freezer for at least 30 minutes and then bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Chicken Spaghetti Bake Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb Spaghetti Pasta
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 1 cup Sour Cream
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese shredded
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken rotisserie or other, cut into ½" chunks
- 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
- 2 tsp Parsley chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook spaghetti noodles to al dente according to package instructions, drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the chicken broth, cream cheese, sour cream, and garlic powder. Bring to a low simmer and stir until all ingredients are combined.
- Remove from the heat, then add in the cooked spaghetti, Parmesan cheese, the diced chicken and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix to combine, then spread into a 9" x 13" baking dish.
- Top with the remaining mozzarella cheese and bake in a preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.
- Remove from the oven, garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve hot. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More of the Best Pasta Recipes
- Sun Dried Tomato Penne Pasta
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
- Homemade Mac and Cheese Stovetop
- Easy Baked Ziti
- Pasta Carbonara
- Spaghetti with Meat Sauce
- Lemon Cream Sauce with Spaghetti
- Homemade Lasagna
- Slow Cooker Tortellini Pasta Bake
- Meatball Pasta Bake
- Creamy Pesto Pasta Salad
- 4 Cheese Stuffed Pasta
- Lasagna Soup Recipe
- More Easy Dinner Ideas
- More Chicken Entrees
This Chicken Spaghetti casserole is creamy, cheesy classic comfort food. It's great for a simple dinner or freezer meal any night of the week!
Jodie
Thank you for this recipe! My son hates tomatoes, and this is the only recipe I could find without them. Can't wait to try it!
Suzy
Love the tip on using rotisserie chicken! This came together so quickly and tasted great!
The Carefree Kitchen
Yes, such a great way to use up leftover chicken.
Diana
My family loves this fantastic easy dinner. It's so simple to make and everyone always wants more.
The Carefree Kitchen
So glad they love it!