Description
A truly effortless and incredibly satisfying casserole featuring tender chicken, spaghetti, a rich, creamy sauce, and plenty of cheese, baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
1 pound spaghetti, broken in half
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup dry sherry (optional)
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups milk (whole milk or 2%)
1 (10.5 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for topping
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and set aside.
Step 3: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sliced mushrooms; sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. If using, stir in the dry sherry and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, allowing the alcohol to cook off. Remove vegetables from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4: In the same skillet (or a large pot), melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
Step 5: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk until the sauce is smooth and thickened. Stir in the cream of chicken soup until well combined. Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce heat to low.
Step 6: Stir in the cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, frozen peas (if using), 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 1/4 cup fresh parsley into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 7: Add the cooked spaghetti to the sauce mixture and toss gently until all the pasta is evenly coated.
Step 8: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese and, if desired, Panko breadcrumbs for a crispy topping.
Step 9: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown on top. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of dry sherry to the sauce. Fresh mushrooms or frozen peas are great additions for more texture and nutrients. Leftover rotisserie chicken works wonderfully to speed up prep time.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Casserole
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 90mg