Make this easy and tasty recipe for chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese for dinner tonight!
What’s better than the tasty combo of chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning all mixed into a melty mac and cheese?
This loaded mac and cheese recipe goes from the oven to the table in 30 minutes!
Easy Cheesy Casserole
- Quick, easy, and super cheesy, chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese is the ultimate potluck and party dish!
- Similar to Arby’s new loaded mac and cheese bowls, this kid-friendly recipe is made with fresh and wholesome ingredients likely already in the pantry!
- Keep chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese warm in a crockpot and let guests help themselves! Serve with a tangy salad and a pitcher of homemade lemonade!
Ingredients and Variations
Macaroni – Go for smaller shapes like small or medium elbow, shells, or smaller penne or ziti so a little bit is in every bite!
Protein – Cooked chicken and bacon are what makes this recipe a keeper! Feel free to use up leftover meat like ground beef or turkey, sliced smoked sausages, diced ham, or even meatballs.
Sauce – Milk, butter, and cream cheese give this dish its rich texture. Sour cream or Greek yogurt can be used in place of cream cheese for a lighter sauce with fewer calories.
Seasonings – Buy it or DIY it – this recipe for Ranch dressing mix can be doubled up and used in so many ways!
Cheese – Don’t skimp on the 3 cups of cheese for the best flavor! But you can switch up the variety! A Mexican blend, shredded Monterey jack or cheddar or a combination of what’s on hand will all work in this recipe!
Variations – Sneak in a bag of frozen veggie medley or use up leftover veggies from the fridge and the kids won’t even notice! Make a chicken bacon Tex-Mex mac and cheese version and switch out the ranch seasoning for a zesty taco blend.
How to Make Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac & Cheese
This loaded mac and cheese recipe goes from the oven to the table in 30 minutes!
- Cook pasta to al dente and drain.
- In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in flour. Whisk in milk and cook until thickened.
- Remove sauce from heat and stir in cream cheese, 2 cups of cheese, and Ranch seasoning until sauce is creamy.
- Stir in macaroni, chicken, and half of the bacon to the sauce.
- Pour mac and cheese mixture into the prepared pan and top with the remaining cheese and bacon.
- Bake (per recipe below) until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Leftovers
Keep leftover chicken bacon ranch mac and cheese in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir in a little milk to loosen up the sauce before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Portions can be frozen in zippered bags for up to 4 weeks, however, it’s wise to add freshly cooked macaroni pasta once thawed and before reheating since frozen and thawed pasta won’t be as firm as fresh.
More Perfect Pasta Recipes
Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 1 oz packet ranch seasoning (2 tablespoons)
- 3 cups Colby jack cheese blend shredded, divided
- 4 ounces cream cheese cut in small cubes
- 2 cups cooked chicken diced or shredded
- 6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Grease a 3-quart casserole dish.
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add elbow macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente; drain.
- In a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and stir in flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Add milk gradually, whisking smooth after each addition. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for 2-3 minutes or until thickened.
- Turn heat off and stir in cream cheese, 2 cups of cheese and the ranch seasoning. Stir until cheese has melted and sauce is creamy. Add the cooked macaroni, chicken and half the bacon to the sauce.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon crumbles. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
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