Creamy, cheesy Chicken Noodle Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! I love how easy it to make with simple ingredients. Juicy chicken and tender egg noodles in a delicious cheesy sauce and ooh that crispy topping. Our favorite!
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This fool-proof recipe is SO GOOD! It's easy to make and prep takes minutes. It's one of the most comforting casseroles on my blog. I know it will be enjoyed by even your picky eaters!
Ingredients for the cheesy chicken casserole
For the exact measurements, please refer to the recipe card below.
- Wide egg noodles - though you can certainly use any type of noodles.
- Cooked boneless chicken breasts - I used cooked leftover chicken breasts in this recipe. This recipe is a great way use up leftover rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken, leftover turkey or poached chicken.
- Evaporated milk or whole milk
- Fried onions - bread crumbs, seasoned crackers, potato chips or even crushed pretzels would be a great substitute.
- 2 cans of cream soup - I prefer cream of chicken, but you can also substitute cream of mushroom soup, celery or cream of potato soup.
- Ranch seasoning mix - you can substitute poultry seasoning or even a mixture of onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt and pepper.
- Frozen veggies I used frozen peas and carrots - you can substitute with fresh vegetables if you'd prefer.
- Shredded cheddar cheese - Colby Jack, Mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese would be yummy too!
- Reserved pasta water - no pasta water, use chicken broth instead.
Easy Chicken Casserole with Noodles
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken diced
- 12 ounces egg noodles cooked to al dente
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
- 21 ounces Campbells cream of chicken soup 2 cans (undiluted)
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning mix
- 12 ounces evaporated milk
- 1 cup french fried onions
- ¾ cup pasta water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 9x13 casserole dish with non-stick spray, set aside.
- Cook the egg noodles in a large pot of well salted water to al dente. Drain well, set aside.
- In a large bowl mix the canned soup, evaporated milk, pasta water and ranch dressing. Whisk until smooth.
- Add the cooked noodles, half the shredded cheese, cubed chicken and frozen vegetables and mix well with the creamy sauce. Pour into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese and the fried onions.
- Cover with aluminum foill and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes, or until hot and bubbly!
Notes
- Cook the pasta to al dente. Overcooked pasta will get mushy.
- Cover the pasta with aluminum foil before cooking so it doesn't dry out.
- Finish with minced parsley and fresh cracked black pepper if desired.Â
Storage -
Refrigerate - Allow the casserole to cool completely. Store leftovers in an airtight container or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will last 3-4 days. Freeze - up to three months. Thaw frozen casserole in the refrigerator overnight. Bake until hot and bubbly.Â
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Nutrition
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Preheat the oven. Prep the casserole dish.
- Cook pasta to al dente. Drain well and set aside.
- Combine the cream of chicken soup, evaporated milk, pasta water and ranch dressing. Whisk the soup mixture until smooth and creamy.
- Add the chicken, cooked pasta, half the shredded cheese, frozen vegetables and mix well with a large spoon. Pour the chicken/pasta mixture into the prepared pan.
- Top with remaining cheese and finish with the crispy fried onions.
- Cover with aluminum foil and until hot and bubbly!
FAQ's
Yes this delicious casserole can be made the night before, then baked right before serving.
Absolutely! Fresh vegetables in this comforting chicken noodle casserole would be a great substitute.
No, don't delete the soup. You'll need 2 cans of cream of chicken soup. You may also need some pasta water to ensure the casserole is saucy enough.
Top Tip
Be sure to cook the pasta according to package directions to al dente. Overcooked pasta will get mushy once it's baked in the oven.
- Cover the pasta before baking to keep it from drying out.
- Make a double batch and fresh the second casserole dish for those days you don't want to cook.
Variations
No fried onions? There are plenty of crunchy topping ideas to add to the top of the casserole; Ritz Crackers, crushed potato chips, Doritos, and even goldfish crackers would all be super yummy!
Crunchy water chestnuts is a wonderful edition.
Serving suggestions
This creamy chicken noodle casserole is sooo yummy! My favorite thing to serve with this is dinner roll recipe.
Then grab a bagged salad or make this fresh garden salad. Super easy and dinner is done!
Related recipes
This easy chicken casserole is like chicken noodle soup, but in casserole form! If you are looking for more easy casserole recipes and family dinner ideas, there are some yummy chicken casserole dishes on the blog.
- This copycat recipe for Chicken Broccoli and Pasta is dripping with Alfredo Sauce and better than the Cheesecake Factory - I hope you try it soon!
- Chicken Spaghetti Recipe - this cheesy spaghetti dish is one of the MOST popular on the blog. It's a little spicy and super creamy.
- One Pot Chicken Alfredo with Peas filled with tender pasta and chicken with the most amazing sauce! This is one of our favorite easy family dinner ideas!
- This Old Fashioned Hamburger Noodle Casserole is a family favorite!
This recipe is go-to comfort food dish. Have you tried it yet? Let me know what you think! I'd love it if you left a comment below.
Jean M says
Made this, was very delicious and simple to make.
Lois says
This is a great casserole so very tasty. So easy to put together. My kind of meal. Thank you.
Shawna says
I have made many chicken noodle casseroles but this is my whole family's favorite.
Debra Clark says
That's awesome Shawna, thank you for sharing!! This casserole is the BEST!!!
Terri says
Earlier in the day i sautéed some well seasoned chicken tenders. Used them for this delicious recipe and it was a huge WOW! It is a flavor bomb. Will make again and again. Thanks so much!
Bowl Me Over says
That's awesome Terri, glad you enjoyed the recipe!!!
Dawn says
This is fantastic made with 2 cans of flaked tuna, instead of the chicken, too!
Bowl Me Over says
Oh yum, what a great variation Dawn! Thank you!!
Shelia says
Can you substitute evaporated milk with whole lactose free milk?
Bowl Me Over says
I don't see any reason that wouldn't work, but I've never recipe tested with that specific ingredient. Let me know how it turns out for you! Enjoy the recipe Sheila!
Nina says
delicious! made this tonight! just for 2 people so I cut the recipe in half in a 8x8 pan! turned out delicious! def will make again!
Bowl Me Over says
I love this easy recipe, I always think of it as the chicken version of Tuna Casserole - classic and delicious! Glad was a hit Nina!
Sue says
Can you use canned chicken
Bowl Me Over says
Yes, just be sure to drain it well.
Marian says
We love this recipe! Easy to adust! I use brocccoli and whatever cheese I have. If I need more liquid, I use whatever I have. So easy and perfect when company comes. Thank you!
Bowl Me Over says
I'm so glad you're enjoying this recipe and making it your own Marian! Your substations sound fantastic, I will often use cream of mushroom soup and used cream of broccoli soup with broccoli as the vegetable - delicious! Thanks for being a part of the blog!!
Sandy says
This was a big hit at my house. I will most definitely be making this again.
Bowl Me Over says
Wonderful, glad you enjoyed this meal! And thanks for swinging back to leave a comment Sandy, have a great day!
Brandi says
This recipe is fantastic! Do you think it would freeze good?
Debra Clark says
Oooh, glad you love it Brandi - it's such a great recipe! AND good news, it freezes great! Enjoy!
Jennifer says
Could everything be cooked in slow cooker?
Bowl Me Over says
You would need to adjust the liquid in the recipe and it would depend on whether you put the noodles in uncooked or cooked. I'm sorry Jennifer, but I haven't experimented with this in the slow cooker. I'm sorry but until I do, I would want to take a guess and not have your meal turn out.
Jean M. says
Made this a few nights ago and it's very delicious. My husband & I ate two meals from it and then gave to my son and his family and they enjoyed it also. Which reminds me he still has my dish!!
Debra Clark says
Glad it was a hit Jean and that you and the family enjoyed the recipe!!
Debbie says
It’s definitely a keeper. I halved the recipe no problem, only added a bit of pepper.
Bowl Me Over says
Thanks Debbie, I think this is the most comforting chicken noodle casserole. It's those tender noodles! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!!
kendal says
HI.
it looks amazing, but is it 1 cup each of peas and carrots that makes it cups?
Or it a half cup of each and and it is only a cup, not cups?
Thank you!!
Bowl Me Over says
Sorry Kendal, I had an extra "s" on cup, it's one cup frozen peas & carrots.
Lorie Kollock says
Can I use regular fat free milk instead of evaporated milk?
Bowl Me Over says
Hey Lorie - evaporated milk is much creamier than fat free, so because of that it won't be as creamy, however it will still be yummy. You can substitute fat free, 2% or whole milk. That's a great question! Enjoy the casserole!
Tabatha says
Is there something that can be used in place of the ranch seasoning mix?
Bowl Me Over says
Absolutely - that's a great question and I'll add it to the variations. Tabatha, you can a packet of Italian seasoning mix, Lipton's onion seasoning or even a tablespoon of Montreal Seasoning. Additionally you could mince 2 cloves of garlic - that would give it great flavor!
Trudy says
Hi I was wondering do I have to use the fried onions? Is there a substitute you can suggest?
Bowl Me Over says
You can skip the topping or use something like crushed potato chips or crushed crackers like a buttery Ritz Cracker. That would be delicious!