Creamy Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake (Print View)

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

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Step-by-Step Directions:

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, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain through a colander and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ranch dressing, sour cream, whole 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 ensure even coating.
05 - Fold in 1 1/2 cups of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the pasta mixture.
06 - Pour the pasta mixture into the prepared 9x13 inch baking dish, distributing evenly.
07 - Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
08 - Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and top is golden brown.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chives or green onions if desired before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It transforms pantry staples and leftover chicken into something that feels like a special occasion.
  • The creamy ranch sauce is tangy, herbaceous, and impossibly comforting without being heavy.
  • Cleanup is minimal, and the whole thing bakes while you catch your breath.
02 -
  • Do not skip draining the pasta well, excess water will make the sauce thin and soupy.
  • Mix in most of the cheese before baking so the inside stays creamy and cohesive, not just saucy.
  • Let it rest after baking or the first scoop will slide apart, patience pays off here.
03 -
  • Use rotisserie chicken and skip the step of cooking chicken from scratch, it saves time and adds extra flavor.
  • If you want a crispy top, broil the bake for the last two minutes, but watch it closely so it does not burn.
  • Make it ahead and refrigerate unbaked, then add ten extra minutes to the baking time if going straight from the fridge to the oven.
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