Description
This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is a creamy, comforting baked pasta dish featuring shredded chicken, melted Monterey Jack cheese, and a flavorful sauce with diced tomatoes and green chilies. Perfect for a family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and delivers a rich, savory taste with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Chicken
- 12 oz spaghetti (cooked and drained)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (drained)
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
Cheese and Garnish
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Create Sauce Base: Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and drained diced tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and add the cream cheese and sour cream. Mix in smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using. Stir continuously until the sauce is creamy and all ingredients are well combined.
- Combine with Pasta and Cheese: Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet and toss gently to coat all noodles evenly with the creamy sauce. Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded Monterey Jack cheese, mixing until partially melted.
- Assemble and Bake: Transfer the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake and Serve: Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions before serving for a fresh touch.
Notes
- For convenience, use rotisserie chicken instead of cooking chicken yourself.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or spinach to increase vegetable content and add flavor.
- This casserole freezes well; allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 26 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
