Looking for a new family favorite recipe to add to your collection? This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a deliciously comforting pasta casserole that’s easy enough for a weeknight meal, uses simple ingredients, and reheats well for leftovers. Perfectly creamy and cheesy, it’s sure to become a staple in your home!
Ingredients
To serve 5, gather the following ingredients:
- Chicken: 3 cups rotisserie or cooked chicken, diced
- Pasta: 12 oz spaghetti (or linguini, fettuccini, or bucatini)
- Cream of Chicken Soup: 2 (10.5 oz) cans
- Sour Cream: 1 (16 oz) container
- Frozen Spinach: 10 oz bag, thawed and well-drained
- Garlic: 5 cloves, minced
- Monterey Jack Cheese: 3 cups, shredded (reserve some for topping)
- Fried French Onions: 6 oz can (reserve some for topping)
- Butter or Non-stick Spray: for greasing the baking dish
- Salt and Pepper: to taste
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish with butter or non-stick spray.
- Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Cook the spaghetti according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same pot, combine the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, thawed spinach, minced garlic, 1.5 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and half of the fried onions.
- Mix well until combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the drained pasta and diced chicken to the sauce mixture. Toss everything together using tongs or a spatula. If needed, add reserved pasta water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Top with remaining Monterey Jack cheese and fried onions.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes or until the edges are bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let it cool slightly before serving. This dish pairs beautifully with garlic bread or a fresh green salad.
Nutritional Information
Each serving contains approximately:
- Calories: 586 kcal
- Protein: 36g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fat: 26g
(Note that nutritional values may vary based on specific ingredients used.)
Tips and Notes
- For added flavor, consider mixing in some spices like paprika or Italian seasoning.
- You can substitute rotisserie chicken with cooked chicken breasts for a healthier option.
- This dish makes great leftovers; simply reheat in the oven or microwave.
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This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is not just another meal; it’s an experience that brings comfort and satisfaction to your dining table! Enjoy cooking and sharing this delightful dish with your loved ones!
