Description

This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is a comforting and hearty dish featuring tender cooked chicken, creamy sour cream, flavorful cream of chicken soup, fresh spinach, and melty Monterey Jack cheese, all baked together and topped with crispy French fried onions for added texture. Perfect for a family dinner, it combines rich flavors and a creamy texture into a satisfying casserole that’s easy to prepare and sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

12 oz dried spaghetti

Chicken & Vegetables

4 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 (10-oz) package frozen spinach, thawed and drained
2 garlic cloves, minced

Dairy & Canned Goods

1 (16-oz) container sour cream
2 (10.5-oz) cans unsalted cream of chicken soup
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Toppings

1 (6-oz) can French’s French Fried Onions, divided

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Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to get it ready for baking the casserole later.
Prepare Baking Dish: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cook Spaghetti: Cook the dried spaghetti according to the package directions until al dente, then drain well to remove all excess water.
Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the cooked spaghetti, chopped cooked chicken, thawed and drained spinach, minced garlic, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese. Stir until well combined.
Assemble Casserole: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top evenly.
Top with Cheese and Onions: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the casserole, followed by half of the French fried onions.
Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 30 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Add Final Crunch: Remove the casserole from the oven, sprinkle the remaining French fried onions on top, and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to crisp the onions.
Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This dish serves 8 people.

Notes

If you want to add extra flavor, consider seasoning the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
For a lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and cheese.
You can substitute fresh spinach for frozen if preferred; just sauté it beforehand to remove excess moisture.
Make sure to fully drain the spinach to prevent the casserole from becoming watery.
To make this dish ahead, assemble and refrigerate the casserole, then bake when ready to serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American