Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake (Printable Version)

Tender chicken and penne tossed in creamy ranch sauce with melted mozzarella, baked until golden brown.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Chicken

01 - 10 oz penne pasta
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Sauce

03 - 1 cup ranch dressing
04 - 1 cup sour cream
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried dill

→ Cheese

11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add penne pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain in colander and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, whole milk, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried parsley, and dried dill until completely smooth.
04 - Add cooked pasta and diced chicken to the sauce. Stir thoroughly to ensure even coating.
05 - Fold 1.5 cups of mozzarella cheese into the pasta mixture until well distributed.
06 - Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and top with remaining 0.5 cup mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese.
07 - Place in preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and top is golden brown.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions if desired before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means you can have a hot, satisfying dinner on the table even on your busiest nights.
  • The ranch flavor is familiar and comforting without being overwhelming, making it a hit with both kids and adults.
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully, so you can enjoy it just as much the next day without any sogginess or separation.
02 -
  • Do not overcook the pasta before baking, or it will turn to mush in the oven and lose that satisfying bite.
  • Let the dish rest for a few minutes after baking, or the sauce will be too runny and slide right off your spoon.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken to save time, and don't be afraid to use both white and dark meat for extra flavor.
  • If your ranch sauce looks too thick after mixing, add a splash more milk until it's pourable but still coats the back of a spoon.
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