Easy Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

Our homemade chicken spaghetti has a creamy, rich, Italian-inspired sauce loaded with cheese. No Rotel tomatoes or processed cheese.

Chicken spaghetti in a red casserole.
This easy chicken spaghetti recipe is the cheesy goodness!

Why You Will Love This Recipe

We also don’t use green peppers, bell peppers, cream cheese, cream of mushroom soup, or cream of chicken soup.

No canned soup in this recipe. We make a bechamel sauce with two kinds of cheese and Italian spices. It’s so much better, trust us!

This is an easy chicken spaghetti casserole recipe that comes together quickly and is always a family favorite meal any night of the week.

chicken spaghetti scooped out on a serving spoon
This chicken spaghetti is the ultimate comfort food the whole family will love!

Serve this up with a delicious and crisp Arugula Fennel salad and freshly baked Italian bread, and you have a rockin’ home-cooked meal that they’ll be talking about the next day!

Looking for some other baked pasta dishes. Check out our Baked Macaroni And Cheese, our One Pot Hamburger Helper (homemade), or our Old Fashioned American Goulash. All of them are delish!

Ingredients Needed

  • Spaghetti: Forms the base of the dish, providing a satisfying pasta texture.
  • Cooked chicken, diced: Adds protein and a savory flavor to the dish. It can be made with leftover rotisserie chicken, providing a convenient and delicious use for it.
  • Diced canned tomatoes: Contribute acidity, sweetness, and a rich tomato flavor to the sauce.
  • Unsalted butter: Adds richness and depth of flavor to the sauce.
  • Onion: Provides a savory and slightly sweet base flavor to the dish.
  • Garlic: Adds a pungent and aromatic element to the sauce, enhancing the overall taste.
  • All-purpose flour: Used as a thickening agent to give the sauce a creamy consistency.
  • Dried oregano, basil, and thyme: These dried herbs add a flavorful Mediterranean flair to the dish, providing earthy and aromatic notes.
  • Kosher salt and black pepper: Seasonings that enhance the taste of the other ingredients and add a balanced savory flavor to the dish.
  • Chicken stock: Provides a rich and savory base for the sauce, amplifying the chicken flavor.
  • Whole milk and half and half: These dairy products create a creamy and luscious texture, making the sauce velvety and rich.
  • Pecorino Romano and sharp cheddar cheese: These cheeses add richness, creaminess, and tangy flavor to the sauce, enhancing the overall cheesiness of the dish.
  • Fresh parsley (optional): It adds a touch of brightness and freshness.

I know it looks like a long list of ingredients, but it’s mostly spices from your cupboard.

How to Make Chicken Spaghetti

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 or 10×5 casserole dish (ours is a 10×5).

Cook spaghetti according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the diced cooked chicken, tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Set aside.

cheese sauce in a pot

In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Whisk in the flour, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.

Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, milk, and half and half until smooth. Cook until thick and bubbly. It should be the consistency of cream soup.

Remove from the heat and stir in the Pecorino Romano and 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

casserole ingredients in a glass mixing bowl
No velveeta cheese here. A real cheese sauce that is so easy to make makes this cheesy chicken spaghetti sing!

Pour the cheese sauce over the chicken and cooked spaghetti ingredients and mix until combined.

unbaked chicken spaghetti in a casserole topped with shredded cheese
This pasta bake has an amazingly creamy cheese sauce and is topped with what … lots of cheese!

Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining sharp cheese evenly over the top.

spaghetti scooped with tongs
Creamy chicken spaghetti is a great way to feed the crew on a busy weeknight.

Bake for 25-30 minutes or until it’s hot, bubbling, and golden brown on top. Let rest for about 10 minutes before serving.

Pro tip

It’s a good idea to place the pasta dish on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This could prevent any spillage into the oven.

Serve the chicken spaghetti with a tossed salad, maybe some bread, and the meal is complete!

It’s a speedy yet satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends without keeping you chained to the kitchen.

So gather around the table, share laughter, and indulge in this delightful chicken spaghetti creation that will leave everyone craving more.

Tips And Variations

  • The sauce should have a creamy and velvety consistency. If it becomes too thick, you can add a splash of chicken stock or milk to thin it out. Conversely, if the sauce is too thin, you can let it simmer uncovered for a bit longer to reduce and thicken.
  • For best results, cook the spaghetti just until it reaches al dente, meaning it should still have a slight bite to it. This helps the pasta hold its shape and prevents it from becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce.
  • Of course, you can use a thinner or thicker noodle, such as angel hair pasta or fettucini.
  • For those who enjoy a spicy kick, add some diced jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes to the sauce. This will add a spicy element to the dish, balancing the richness of the sauce with a fiery twist for your Spicy Chicken Spaghetti.
  • Boost the nutritional value by incorporating an array of vegetables. Sauté diced bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, along with the onion and garlic. You can also add spinach or kale towards the end of cooking for an extra dose of greens.

FAQ’s

Can I use leftover grilled chicken instead of rotisserie chicken in the chicken spaghetti recipe?

Absolutely! Leftover grilled chicken can be a fantastic substitute for rotisserie chicken in this recipe. Just make sure to dice it into bite-sized pieces before incorporating it into the dish.

What goes with chicken spaghetti?

Garlic bread, salads, steamed vegetables, and roasted garlic potatoes would make excellent sides.

Can I make the chicken spaghetti ahead of time and freeze it?

Yes, you can prepare the chicken spaghetti ahead of time and freeze it. Once cooked, allow the dish to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator and reheat it in the oven or on the stovetop until heated through

Other Delicious Pasta Recipes

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Chicken spaghetti in a red casserole.

Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

A creamy, rich Italian-inspired sauce loaded with cheese, chicken, and spaghetti! No Rotel or processed cheese.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main
Cuisine: American, Italian
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 523kcal
Author: Leigh Harris

Ingredients
 

Cheese Sauce

  • 1/4 cup Unsalted butter
  • 1 small Onion diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1/4 cup All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp Dried basil
  • 1/4 tsp Dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1 cup Chicken stock or broth
  • 1/2 cup Whole milk
  • 1/2 cup Half and half
  • 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano shredded
  • 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese shredded, divided

Casserole

  • 8 oz Spaghetti cooked
  • 2 cups Chicken cooked, diced
  • 14 oz Diced tomatoes drained
  • 1/2 cup Fresh parsley chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9×13 or 10×5 casserole dish (ours is a 10×5).
  • Cook spaghetti according to package instructions for al dente. Drain and place in a large mixing bowl. Add the diced cooked chicken, tomatoes, and fresh parsley. Set aside.
    8 oz Spaghetti, 2 cups Chicken, 14 oz Diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup Fresh parsley
  • In a saucepan melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion and saute until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
    1/4 cup Unsalted butter, 1 small Onion, 2 cloves Garlic
  • Whisk in the flour, oregano, basil, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes.
    1/4 cup All-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp Dried oregano, 1/2 tsp Dried basil, 1/4 tsp Dried thyme, 1/2 tsp Kosher salt, 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, milk, and half and half until smooth. Cook until thick and bubbly. It should be the consistency of cream soup.
    1 cup Chicken stock, 1/2 cup Whole milk, 1/2 cup Half and half
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the Pecorino Romano and 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese until melted. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
    1/2 cup Pecorino Romano, 2 cups Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Pour the cheese sauce over the spaghetti ingredients and mix until combined.
  • Pour into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining sharp cheese evenly over the top.
  • Bake for 25-30 minutes or until it’s hot and bubbling. Let rest about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Leftover Chicken Spaghetti
Refrigeration
Allow the dish to cool down at room temperature for about 1 hour before refrigerating or freezing. Once cooled, transfer the chicken spaghetti to an airtight container or place it in a sealable plastic bag. Refrigerate promptly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. 
Freezing
Place the chicken spaghetti in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag and freeze it for up to 3 months.
When ready to enjoy the leftovers, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, you can reheat the chicken spaghetti in a microwave-safe dish, stirring occasionally, or in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken stock or milk if needed to rehydrate the sauce.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 523kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 93mg | Sodium: 628mg | Potassium: 445mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 1284IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 457mg | Iron: 3mg

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2 Comments

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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