Description
Hearty chicken noodle casserole brings comfort to family dinners with layers of creamy goodness and nostalgic flavor. Home cooks can enjoy this classic dish that warms hearts and satisfies hunger with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chicken (shredded or diced)
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 8 oz egg noodles
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup frozen peas and carrots (optional)
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (for topping)
- 1 tbsp butter (melted)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- Cook egg noodles according to package directions, thoroughly draining excess water and setting aside.
- Create a creamy mixture by combining shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheddar cheese, milk, peas and carrots, seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Gently fold the cooked noodles into the mixture, ensuring even coating of all ingredients.
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and carefully transfer the noodle and chicken mixture, spreading evenly.
- Prepare the crispy topping by blending breadcrumbs with melted butter until well incorporated.
- Distribute the buttery breadcrumb mixture uniformly across the casserole surface.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for a golden-brown crust and bubbling edges.
- Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, helping it set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Swap chicken with tofu or plant-based protein for a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, comforting texture.
- Use gluten-free egg noodles and breadcrumbs to transform this dish into a celiac-friendly meal without compromising flavor.
- Boost nutrition by adding extra vegetables like spinach, zucchini, or bell peppers to increase the veggie content and create more depth.
- For a lighter version, replace full-fat ingredients with low-fat alternatives like Greek yogurt instead of sour cream and reduced-fat cheese to cut calories while keeping the dish deliciously satisfying.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 335 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg