Crack Chicken Macaroni and Cheese Recipe - THE BEST macaroni and cheese EVER! Campanelle pasta, butter, flour, ranch seasoning, heavy cream, milk, salt, pepper, cheddar cheese, chicken and bacon. Can make in advance and refrigerate or freeze for later. Comfort food at its best!
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
Melt butter in a large sauce pot over medium heat. Add flour and cook 1 – 2 minutes, but do not brown. Add cream, milk, and ranch seasoning.
Bring the pot to a simmer. Cook until sauce is thick, about 5 – 6 minutes. Blend cheese into the sauce. Add cooked pasta, chicken, and bacon. Stir well.
Pour the pasta mixture into a 9-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs on top.
Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbly.
Notes:
You can use any shape of pasta that you prefer. Elbow macaroni, cavatappi pasta, rigatoni, penne, bowtie pasta – anything goes!
If you are sensitive to ranch seasoning, adjust the amount to your personal taste.
Variations/Additions:
onions
peppers
hot sauce
spinach
broccoli
Can Chicken Mac & Cheese be made in advance? Yes! You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until you are ready to bake. You will need to add 5 or 10 minutes to the cooking time.
Can Chicken Macaroni & Cheese be frozen? Yes! Assemble the casserole and cool completely. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and aluminum foil and freeze. When ready to bake, thaw and cook as directed.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.