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
Scale
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.
