Description
This homemade chicken noodle casserole is a comforting, hearty dish featuring tender shredded chicken, wide egg noodles, and mixed vegetables in a creamy Italian-seasoned sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection with melted Colby Jack cheese on top. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines simple pantry ingredients into a satisfying, flavorful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 12 ounces wide egg noodles, cooked al dente
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn, green beans)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 large onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Topping
- 2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened and fragrant, about 4 minutes.
- Make Roux: Stir in the flour with the sautéed onions and garlic, and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux, which will thicken the sauce.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and milk to the roux, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Cook this mixture for about 5 minutes until it thickens into a creamy sauce.
- Season Sauce: Stir in the lemon juice, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to flavor the sauce.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked shredded chicken, frozen mixed vegetables, and cooked egg noodles to the skillet. Mix thoroughly to evenly coat everything with the sauce.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the casserole mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the surface of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden, and the casserole is hot throughout.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For best results, cook the egg noodles al dente so they don’t become mushy after baking.
- You can substitute mixed vegetables with any favorite or seasonal vegetables.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Use low-fat milk or chicken broth for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or basil can be added for extra flavor if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
