Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake Recipe
This Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake is a comforting and flavorful casserole combining tender spaghetti, shredded chicken, and a rich blend of cream cheese, sour cream, and cream of chicken soup. Topped with cheddar cheese and crispy bacon, it bakes to bubbly golden perfection, making it an ideal hearty family meal or potluck favorite.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
- Diet: Low Salt
Pasta
Protein
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
Dairy & Creamy Components
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
- 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 1 (1 oz) packet ranch seasoning mix
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Cook Spaghetti: Boil the spaghetti according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain well and set aside to cool slightly.
- Make Creamy Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Chicken and Cheeses: Fold the cooked shredded chicken, 1½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and cooked spaghetti gently into the creamy mixture ensuring everything is well incorporated.
- Assemble Bake: Pour the combined mixture into the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese and crumbled cooked bacon over the top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10–15 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese topping turns golden brown.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole rest for 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired, then serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a lower sodium version, use reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup and low-sodium ranch seasoning.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute gluten-free spaghetti and ensure the cream of chicken soup and ranch seasoning are gluten-free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne pepper to the creamy mixture.
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 27g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: southern spaghetti bake, creamy chicken casserole, comfort food, baked spaghetti, cheesy chicken bake, ranch seasoning casserole, bacon cheese bake