Craving the ultimate comfort food that’s both creamy and satisfying? Look no further than this incredible chicken tetrazzini recipe, a dish that echoes the hearty, family-friendly meals championed by the Pioneer Woman herself. While not directly from Ree Drummond, this version captures the essence of her beloved style: generous portions, simple techniques, and flavors that bring everyone to the table. This isn’t just any chicken casserole; it’s a million-dollar upgrade to your dinner rotation, perfect for weeknights, potlucks, or even a make-ahead freezer meal for busy days.
This recipe takes the classic chicken tetrazzini and elevates it with a blend of rich cheeses and a creamy sauce that’s simply irresistible. Imagine tender pieces of chicken and spaghetti enveloped in a luscious mixture of cream of chicken and mushroom soups, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream – all topped with melted parmesan and mozzarella. It’s a symphony of flavors and textures that will have your family begging for seconds.
Chicken tetrazzini in a white baking dish, ready to be served, showcasing its creamy and cheesy texture.
Making Your Million Dollar Chicken Tetrazzini: Step-by-Step
Creating this comforting chicken spaghetti casserole is surprisingly straightforward. The beauty of this Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Pioneer Woman style is its simplicity and the use of pantry staples. Here’s how to bring this dish to life in your kitchen:
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Pasta Prep is Key: Begin by cooking your spaghetti according to the package directions. Al dente is ideal as it will continue to cook in the oven. Drain the pasta thoroughly once cooked.
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Craft the Creamy Sauce: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Ensure everything is well combined to create a smooth and flavorful base for your tetrazzini.
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Combine and Assemble: Add the cooked and drained spaghetti to the creamy sauce mixture. Toss gently to coat the pasta evenly with the sauce. Pour this mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
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Cheese it Up!: Top the casserole generously with parmesan and mozzarella cheese. These cheeses will melt beautifully in the oven, creating that golden-brown, bubbly crust we all crave in a good casserole.
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Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 45 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the casserole is heated through, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
Pro Tip: Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut for this recipe. It saves time and adds incredible flavor. You can often find pre-cooked rotisserie chicken at your local grocery store, making this a truly quick and easy meal to prepare.
Freezer-Friendly Chicken Tetrazzini: Make-Ahead Magic
One of the greatest advantages of this chicken tetrazzini recipe is its freezer-friendly nature. Inspired by the Pioneer Woman’s practical approach to home cooking, this casserole is perfect for making ahead of time.
Freezing Instructions: Assemble the casserole as directed, but do not bake. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Baking from Frozen: Thaw the frozen casserole completely in the refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed in the recipe, possibly adding a few extra minutes to ensure it’s heated through.
Reheating Leftovers: Leftover chicken tetrazzini can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through. For oven reheating, cover with foil and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-30 minutes, or until warmed.
A single serving of chicken tetrazzini on a white plate, showcasing the cheesy topping and creamy interior.
Perfect Side Dishes to Complement Your Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole
To create a complete and balanced meal, consider serving your chicken tetrazzini with some delicious side dishes. Just like the Pioneer Woman, we love simple, flavorful sides that complement the richness of the casserole. Here are a few excellent options:
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Fresh Green Salad: A crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the creamy tetrazzini.
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Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Green beans, asparagus, or broccoli are all fantastic choices. Try Roasted Asparagus with Parmesan for a simple yet elegant side.
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Garlic Bread or Rolls: For a truly comforting meal, serve with warm garlic bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up every last bit of the creamy sauce. Consider Italian Green Beans with Tomatoes for a flavorful vegetable side dish.
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Smothered Broccoli: For a richer vegetable side, Smothered Broccoli adds another layer of comforting flavors.
Close up of smothered broccoli being scooped from a baking dish, showing bacon and cheesy topping.
Jar of copycat Outback Ranch dressing with a fresh salad in the background, suggesting a light and creamy dressing pairing.
No matter what sides you choose, this chicken tetrazzini recipe pioneer woman inspired casserole is sure to be a hit. It’s a comforting, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy goodness!
Million Dollar Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe Card
Author: Pioneer Technology Inspired Recipe (Adapted from Plain Chicken)
Yields: 8 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 lb spaghetti
- 2 cups cooked, chopped chicken (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.75 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup sour cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Equipment:
- 9×13 inch baking dish
- Large bowl
- Pot for boiling pasta
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cottage cheese, sour cream, cream cheese, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Stir until well combined.
- Add the cooked spaghetti to the bowl and toss to coat evenly with the sauce.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
- Bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until bubbly and cheese is melted and lightly golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve hot.
Recipe Notes:
- For a lower sodium option, use unsalted cream of chicken and mushroom soups.
- This casserole can be assembled ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours or frozen for up to 3 months.
- If baking from refrigerated, you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time. Ensure it is heated through.
- To bake from frozen, thaw completely in the refrigerator before baking as directed.
Enjoy this comforting and delicious chicken tetrazzini recipe – a true family favorite!
