If you are on the lookout for a comforting, creamy, and utterly delicious dish to make ahead that will impress your family or guests, the Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe is your new best friend. This recipe is all about layering rich flavors and tender textures in one easy casserole that cooks while you sleep, waking you up to a warm, cheesy masterpiece. The magic of this dish lies in its simplicity and how the flavors meld overnight, producing a luscious pasta bake that screams indulgence yet feels like a cozy, homemade hug. Trust me, once you try this Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe, it will become a staple in your weeknight dinner rotation and a definite crowd-pleaser at any gathering.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients is half the fun with this recipe. Each element plays an essential role, whether it’s building the creamy base, adding depth with chicken broth, or creating that irresistible cheesy crust. The simplicity of these ingredients contributes to a satisfying comfort food experience that feels both rich and approachable.
- Cottage cheese: Adds creamy texture and a slight tang to brighten the dish without overpowering it.
- Sour cream: Enhances the creaminess and lends a subtle richness to the sauce.
- Cream cheese (room temperature): Brings smooth, velvety texture and thickens the sauce perfectly.
- Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup: Provides savory chicken flavor and thick base for the sauce.
- Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds an earthy depth and complements the chicken beautifully.
- Milk: Helps balance the creaminess and ensures the sauce isn’t too thick.
- Chicken broth: Infuses a natural chicken flavor and prevents dryness.
- Onion powder: Delivers a subtle aromatic note without overpowering.
- Garlic powder: Gives a mild, savory boost to round out the seasoning.
- Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning to taste and enhancing all the flavors.
- Uncooked elbow macaroni: The perfect pasta shape to hold onto that creamy sauce.
- Chopped cooked chicken (rotisserie recommended): Tender protein that adds heartiness and convenience.
- Grated parmesan: Provides nutty, sharp flavor and the perfect baking crust.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully and adds that irresistible gooey layer on top.
How to Make Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Dish
Start by spraying a 9×13-inch casserole pan with cooking spray to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick during baking. This simple preparation step will save you from scrubbing later and help your delicious dish slide right out when serving.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Sauce and Pasta
In a large bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken broth, onion powder, and garlic powder until fully combined. This mixture is the heart of the sauce, delivering rich, velvety goodness. Stir in the chopped cooked chicken and uncooked elbow macaroni, making sure every bit is evenly coated with the creamy blend. This step ensures flavorful pasta through and through.
Step 3: Refrigerate Overnight
Pour the entire pasta and sauce mixture into the prepared pan and cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Place it in the refrigerator overnight. This crucial resting time lets the uncooked pasta soak up the moisture and flavors, making the texture tender and the taste more pronounced — it’s why we love the Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe so much!
Step 4: Preheat Oven and Prepare for Baking
The next day, remove the casserole from the refrigerator and uncover it. Preheat your oven to 350ºF, giving it time to reach the perfect temperature to bake your pasta evenly. This slow, gentle heat will bring the flavors together and cook everything just right.
Step 5: Add Cheeses and Bake
Sprinkle the top of the casserole with grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella cheese. These cheeses form a golden, bubbly crust that gives the dish its famous indulgent finish. Bake the uncovered casserole in the preheated oven for one hour. By the end of the bake, your pasta should be creamy, bubbling, and beautifully browned on top, ready to serve.
How to Serve Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh garnishes takes this dish to the next level. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or basil on top to bring a pop of color and a fresh herbaceous note that balances the richness. A light dusting of extra parmesan adds a lovely final touch for cheese lovers.
Side Dishes
This creamy chicken pasta pairs wonderfully with crisp, refreshing sides. A simple green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette brightens your plate, while steamed or roasted vegetables like broccoli, green beans, or asparagus add color and nutrition. Garlic bread or crusty rolls are perfect for soaking up any extra sauce on your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
If you want to impress guests, serve the pasta in individual ramekins for a charming, personalized touch. You might also garnish with toasted breadcrumbs on top for extra texture, or swirl in a drizzle of pesto before serving to add a fresh, herby flavor twist that plays beautifully with the creamy base.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Transfer any uneaten portions to airtight containers to maintain freshness and prevent drying out. When stored properly, the flavors develop even more, making your next meal just as delicious.
Freezing
This dish freezes well if you want to prepare it well in advance. Assemble the casserole as directed but do not add the cheese topping. Cover tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before adding the cheeses and baking as usual.
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, warm individual servings in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven at 350ºF until heated through and bubbly. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning and sprinkle a little extra mozzarella on top if you want to refresh the cheesy layer.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this recipe?
Absolutely! While elbow macaroni works perfectly because it holds the sauce well, you can substitute with small shells, rotini, or penne. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the shape.
Is rotisserie chicken necessary, or can I use raw chicken?
Using rotisserie chicken is highly recommended for convenience and flavor, but you can absolutely cook and shred raw chicken ahead of time. Just make sure it’s fully cooked before mixing it into the pasta to ensure food safety.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
This recipe is quite dairy-forward, but you may try substituting dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk yogurt, vegan cream cheese, and dairy-free cheese. The flavor and texture will differ, but it can still be delicious with the right adjustments.
What can I do if I don’t have cream of mushroom or cream of chicken soup?
You can make homemade versions using simple ingredients like broth, cream or milk, flour, and seasonings, or visit your grocery store’s canned soup aisle to find similar alternatives. Using the soup adds convenience and helps achieve the signature creamy texture.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Definitely! The Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe is perfect for meal prepping since it requires advance refrigeration and reheats well. You can prep it ahead and enjoy wholesome, comforting meals all week long without additional fuss.
Final Thoughts
I hope you feel inspired to give the Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe a try because it truly is a crowd-pleaser that brings so much comfort with little effort. From the creamy, cheesy sauce to the tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta, this dish hits all the right notes. It’s a brilliant recipe to have up your sleeve for easy weeknight dinners or when hosting friends and family. Once you taste it, I guarantee it will become a beloved favorite in your recipe collection.
Print
Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes plus overnight refrigeration
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Overnight Million Dollar Chicken Pasta is a creamy, comforting casserole perfect for busy weeknights. Combining cottage cheese, sour cream, two types of cream soups, and tender cooked chicken with elbow macaroni, it’s a rich and cheesy dish that’s easy to prepare ahead and bake to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Dairy & Cream Mixture
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup milk
- 1¼ cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Main Ingredients
- 8 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken (from a whole rotisserie chicken)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan thoroughly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Sauce and Pasta: In a large bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken broth, onion powder, and garlic powder until smooth. Stir in the chopped cooked chicken and uncooked elbow macaroni until well combined.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared pan, cover it with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate overnight. This allows the pasta to soak in the flavors and softens it before baking.
- Remove from Fridge: Take the refrigerated casserole out and uncover it, allowing it to come to room temperature for a few minutes if desired.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and let it fully preheat to ensure even cooking.
- Add Cheese Toppings and Bake: Sprinkle the grated parmesan and shredded mozzarella evenly over the casserole. Bake uncovered for 1 hour until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden and the pasta is cooked through.
Notes
- Using cooked rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute the cream soups with homemade versions for a fresher taste.
- Make sure the cream cheese is softened to blend smoothly with other ingredients.
- The casserole needs to refrigerate overnight for best texture but can be baked after a few hours if pressed for time.
- Ensure the oven is fully preheated before baking to cook the pasta evenly.
