Description
Chicken Noodle Bake is a comforting, creamy casserole featuring tender egg noodles, shredded chicken, and a cheesy sauce baked to perfection. Combining sautéed onions and garlic with a smooth blend of cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and milk, topped with melted cheddar cheese and an optional crunchy cracker crust, this hearty American classic makes for a satisfying main course perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 12 ounces egg noodles
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of chicken soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
Topping
- 1/2 cup crushed butter crackers or breadcrumbs (optional for topping)
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Noodles: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the egg noodles according to package instructions until just al dente. Drain and set aside to cool slightly.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
- Mix Sauce and Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, salt, black pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well until smooth. Add the cooked egg noodles, chicken, thawed peas and carrots, and the sautéed onion and garlic mixture. Mix thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the noodle and chicken mixture into the prepared dish and spread it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top. If desired, add the crushed butter crackers or breadcrumbs for a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the top is lightly browned.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving to add freshness and color.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe for convenience and flavor.
- Add cooked mushrooms or spinach for extra vegetables and nutrition.
- This dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated; just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
