Chicken Ranch Mac and Cheese with Bacon
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese is the ultimate pasta dinner. With a rich and cheesy sauce, salty bacon, and ranch seasoning — it’s full of delicious flavor!
Servings: 8 -10
Calories: 829kcal
Ingredients
- 16 ounces elbow pasta uncooked
- 3 tablespoons butter unsalted
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 4 cups half and half
- 1 1-ounce package ranch seasoning
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
- 3 cups chicken cooked and shredded (3 breasts)
- 10 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- crumbled bacon bits
- freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Cook pasta 1 minute less than package directions for al dente and drain, saving 1-2 cups pasta water.
- During the time the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan with deep sides. Add all-purpose flour and cook and stir for 1 minute over medium heat.
- Slowly whisk in half-and-half about ¾ cup at a time. Once all liquid is added, bring to a boil and simmer for 2 minutes, stir regularly.
- Add sea salt, ground black pepper, and ranch seasoning.
- Remove from heat then stir in Parmesan cheese, 1 cup of each cheese-mozzarella and cheddar cheese, until melted.
- Add the shredded chicken, cooked pasta and bacon and stir to combine.
- Transfer to prepared baking dish and top with remaining mozzarella and cheddar. Bake, uncovered, for about 15-20 minutes, until bubbly and cheese is melted.
- Garnish with additional bacon and freshly chopped parsley, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Shred the cheese yourself: Shredding your own cheese, rather than using pre-shredded, helps it melt better since it doesn't have an anti-caking coating.
- Don’t overcook the pasta: Cook the pasta just until it's nearly al dente, as it will continue to cook in the oven. Overcooking may result in a mushy texture.
- Use an oven-safe skillet: Instead of transferring the casserole to a baking dish, leave it in a large oven-safe skillet and bake it in the oven.
Nutrition
Calories: 829kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 42g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 25g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 1375mg | Potassium: 604mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1108IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 563mg | Iron: 1mg