Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake (Printable Version)

Tender chicken, penne pasta, and creamy ranch sauce with bubbly mozzarella cheese baked until golden. Ready in 45 minutes.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Pasta & Chicken

01 - 10 oz penne pasta
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Sauce

03 - 1 cup ranch dressing
04 - 1 cup sour cream
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
08 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried dill

→ Cheese

11 - 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or green onions

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried parsley, and dried dill until smooth and well combined.
04 - Add cooked pasta and diced chicken to the sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to coat all ingredients evenly.
05 - Gently fold 1 1/2 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese into the pasta mixture until distributed throughout.
06 - Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly and top with remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese.
07 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly with a golden brown top.
08 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It uses pantry staples and leftover chicken, so you can pull it together on a whim without a grocery run.
  • The ranch and sour cream create a sauce that clings to every piece of pasta without feeling heavy.
  • It reheats beautifully, which means lunch is sorted for days.
  • Kids and adults both reach for seconds, no convincing needed.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time after baking, the sauce needs a moment to set or it will be runny on the plate.
  • If your pasta is overcooked before it goes in the oven, it will turn mushy and lose its texture entirely.
  • Taste your ranch dressing before mixing, some brands are saltier than others and you may need to adjust the seasoning.
03 -
  • Use a rotisserie chicken and you'll have this on the table in under an hour with minimal effort.
  • Grate your own mozzarella from a block, it melts smoother and doesn't clump like pre-shredded cheese sometimes does.
  • Bake it in individual ramekins for portion control and a prettier presentation at dinner parties.
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