Name: Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Egg Noodles: 12 ounces Butter: 2 tablespoons Yellow Onion (diced): 1 small Garlic (minced): 2 cloves Shredded Chicken: 2 cups cooked Cream of Chicken Soup: 1 can (10.5 ounces) Sour Cream: ½ cup Milk: ½ cup Peas and Carrots (thawed): 1 cup frozen Dried Parsley: 1 teaspoon Salt: ½ teaspoon Black Pepper: ¼ teaspoon Cheddar Cheese (shredded): 1 ½ cups Butter Crackers (like Ritz, crushed): ½ cup Butter (melted): 2 tablespoons

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If you’re in the mood for something creamy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing, let me introduce you to my favorite Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe. This dish takes everything you love about classic chicken noodle soup—the savory chicken, hearty noodles, tender veggies, and cozy flavors—and transforms it into a bubbly baked casserole, crowned with a golden, buttery cracker topping. Whether you’re rounding up the family on a busy weeknight or looking for the perfect make-ahead meal, this Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe is a guaranteed hit for all ages.

Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the most charming things about this recipe is just how approachable the ingredients are. Each one brings something special to the table, whether it’s creamy texture, vibrant color, or loads of flavor. You probably have most of these in your pantry or fridge already!

Egg noodles (12 ounces): These classic noodles soak up all the creamy sauce while staying perfectly tender—just be sure not to overcook them!
Butter (2 tablespoons): Adds rich flavor and helps soften the onions for a delicious base.
Yellow onion, diced (1 small): Sautéed onions bring savoriness and a hint of sweetness to every bite.
Garlic, minced (2 cloves): Just a couple cloves infuse the entire casserole with irresistible aroma.
Cooked shredded chicken (2 cups): Rotisserie chicken works perfectly for a shortcut, and delivers ample protein.
Cream of chicken soup (1 can, 10.5 ounces): This classic casserole shortcut gives body and creaminess with just the right hint of savory chicken flavor.
Sour cream (½ cup): Adds wonderful tang and silkiness to the sauce.
Milk (½ cup): Helps loosen the sauce so it evenly coats every noodle.
Frozen peas and carrots, thawed (1 cup): For sweet bursts of flavor and a pop of color—swap in your favorite mixed veggies if you prefer.
Dried parsley (1 teaspoon): Delivers bright, herby flavor that balances the richness.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Essential for highlighting all the casserole’s flavors.
Black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Adds subtle warmth that rounds out the dish.
Shredded cheddar cheese (1½ cups): Divided; it melts into the casserole and turns gorgeously golden on top.
Crushed butter crackers, like Ritz (½ cup): For crunch! These create that signature buttery topping.
Melted butter (2 tablespoons): Tossed with the cracker crumbs, it brings out their rich flavor and helps that topping brown beautifully.

How to Make Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Baking Dish

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F, setting the stage for a perfectly bubbly, golden casserole. Grab your favorite 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick spray or rub with oil or butter—this makes serving so much easier and prevents any sticking.

Step 2: Cook the Egg Noodles

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add your egg noodles. Cook just until al dente, following package directions—remember, they’ll continue to cook in the casserole, so a little bite is perfect here. Drain and set aside, ready to soak up that luscious sauce.

Step 3: Sauté the Onion and Garlic

Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent. Add in the minced garlic and let it cook just 30 seconds more—any longer and it might brown too much. This quick sauté forms the aromatic base of our Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe.

Step 4: Mix the Creamy Chicken Sauce

In a big mixing bowl, combine the cooked onion and garlic mixture, shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, thawed peas and carrots, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until it’s creamy, colorful, and evenly combined. This is where all those flavors start mingling!

Step 5: Add Noodles and Cheese

Fold the drained egg noodles into the sauce mixture, followed by 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Gently stir until the noodles and cheese are evenly coated. The cheese will start to melt just a bit, making the filling extra luxurious.

Step 6: Assemble the Casserole

Spoon the hearty mixture into your greased baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese over the top for that irresistible cheesy crust in every scoop.

Step 7: Prepare the Buttery Cracker Topping

In a small bowl, mix your crushed butter crackers with the melted butter until everything is evenly moistened. Scatter this mixture over the cheesy casserole, forming a golden, crunchy lid that will bake to perfection.

Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the casserole onto the center rack and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Watch as it turns bubbly, cheesy, and beautifully golden on top. Once done, let it cool for about 5 minutes—the hardest part!—before diving in and serving.

How to Serve Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Garnishes

A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley right before serving brightens up every plate and gives your Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe a gourmet touch. If you’re feeling fancy, a dusting of cracked black pepper or a light drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil also works wonders for both flavor and fresh appeal.

Side Dishes

Pair this casserole with a crisp green salad dressed in lemony vinaigrette or simple steamed green beans to balance its creamy richness. Warm dinner rolls or a slice of crusty bread are perfect for scooping up every savory spoonful and making the meal even more satisfying.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun twist, scoop the casserole into individual ramekins for personalized servings, ideal for dinner parties or kids’ plates. Or, serve it family-style at the table with all the toppings on the side—think fried onions, extra herbs, or even a shower of grated Parmesan for customizing every bowl of Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors only deepen as it sits, making those next-day lunches absolutely delicious. To keep the topping crisp, store it separately and add it just before reheating, if possible.

Freezing

This Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe freezes beautifully! Assemble everything except the cracker topping, then wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, add the cracker mixture, and bake as directed.

Reheating

To bring leftovers back to life, simply reheat portions in a microwave-safe dish for about 2–3 minutes, or until heated through. For larger amounts, cover your baking dish with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until bubbly, about 20–25 minutes. Add a splash of milk if you prefer a looser sauce.

FAQs

Can I use a different type Main Course

Absolutely! While classic egg noodles are traditional in a Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe, you can substitute with rotini, fusilli, or even penne. Just cook the pasta until al dente, so it holds its shape after baking.

What vegetables work as substitutes for peas and carrots?

Feel free to swap in corn, green beans, broccoli florets, or even spinach. This recipe is quite flexible when it comes to vegetables—just be sure to thaw and drain well to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.

Can I make the Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe ahead of time?

Yes, and it’s one of the best things about this dish! Assemble it completely (except the cracker topping) and refrigerate overnight. When ready to bake, let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, add the topping, and proceed as directed.

Is the casserole freezer-friendly?

You bet! Prepare and cool the casserole, wrap it tightly, and store in your freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready for an easy dinner, thaw overnight, add the cracker-butter topping, and bake per instructions.

How do I keep the cracker topping crunchy?

For maximum crunch, it’s best to add the buttered cracker topping just before baking, not during storage or freezing. If reheating leftovers, you can sprinkle on a fresh layer of crushed crackers and pop the dish under the broiler for a minute or two.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give this Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe a try the next time you’re craving cozy, homestyle comfort food. It’s one of those dishes that brings everyone around the table and makes seconds (and maybe even thirds) a sure thing! Let’s bring a little extra warmth and togetherness to your kitchen—enjoy every creamy, cheesy bite.

Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This delicious Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is the perfect comforting meal for any day of the week. Creamy and flavorful, this dish is sure to be a family favorite.

Ingredients

Egg Noodles:

12 ounces

Butter:

2 tablespoons

Yellow Onion (diced):

1 small

Garlic (minced):

2 cloves

Shredded Chicken:

2 cups cooked

Cream of Chicken Soup:

1 can (10.5 ounces)

Sour Cream:

½ cup

Milk:

½ cup

Peas and Carrots (thawed):

1 cup frozen

Dried Parsley:

1 teaspoon

Salt:

½ teaspoon

Black Pepper:

¼ teaspoon

Cheddar Cheese (shredded):

1 ½ cups

Butter Crackers (like Ritz, crushed):

½ cup

Butter (melted):

2 tablespoons

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Cook the noodles: Cook egg noodles according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
Prepare the filling: In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and garlic. In a mixing bowl, combine onion mixture, chicken, soup, sour cream, milk, peas, carrots, parsley, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of cheddar cheese. Add cooked noodles and mix well.
Assemble and bake: Transfer mixture to baking dish, top with remaining cheddar cheese. Mix crushed crackers with melted butter and sprinkle over casserole. Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden.
Serve: Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.