Description
Monterey chicken spaghetti casserole combines creamy textures with bold southwestern flavors. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this dish a comforting meal for families craving rich, cheesy goodness you’ll devour with delight.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups rotisserie chicken (finely chopped)
- 12 oz premium pasta noodles (spaghetti, linguini, or fettucine)
- 4 cups fresh baby spinach (finely chopped)
- 2 cups sour cream
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup Monterey jack cheese (finely shredded)
- 1 cup French fried onions
- 1.5 tbsps garlic (minced)
Instructions
- Cook spaghetti in salted water until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water to halt cooking process, then set aside.
- Shred rotisserie chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture for consistent flavor distribution throughout the casserole.
- Blend chicken with cream of chicken soup, sour cream, garlic, and baby spinach in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a creamy and vibrant base mixture.
- Fold prepared pasta into the chicken mixture, making certain each noodle is generously coated with the rich sauce.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent potential sticking and facilitate easier serving.
- Transfer combined ingredients into the prepared dish, spreading evenly to create a smooth surface layer.
- Sprinkle remaining Monterey jack cheese across the top, creating a melty coverage, and scatter French fried onions for added crunch.
- Heat oven to 350°F and bake casserole for 40-45 minutes, or until cheese melts completely and edges turn golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5-7 minutes before serving, enabling flavors to settle and casserole to firm slightly.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping rotisserie chicken with leftover turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based alternatives for dietary flexibility.
- Enhance nutrition by adding roasted vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms to boost vegetable content without compromising flavor.
- Reduce sodium and calories by using low-fat sour cream, reduced-sodium cream of chicken soup, and homemade crispy onion topping for a healthier version.
- Make the dish gluten-free by substituting regular pasta with gluten-free noodles and ensuring all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 680 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg