The weather outside might be frightful, but inside, the aroma of a warm, cheesy casserole is incredibly delightful! When the temperatures drop, there’s nothing quite like a comforting, home-baked dish to bring everyone together. This Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, inspired by the queen of comfort food herself, The Pioneer Woman, is a guaranteed family favorite. It’s the perfect dish for cozy nights in, potlucks, holiday gatherings, or any occasion that calls for simple, satisfying goodness. Just like Ree Drummond’s recipes, this casserole is easy to throw together – simply combine the ingredients, bake, and enjoy! If you’re looking for a hearty and crowd-pleasing meal, look no further than this Pioneer Woman inspired spaghetti and cheese casserole.
Close-up shot of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole in a baking dish, showcasing the golden brown cheese topping and creamy texture.
Print Recipe
The Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Spaghetti Casserole Recipe
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts (or 4 small) – cooked and shredded or diced
- 16 oz box of Spaghetti, uncooked (pot-sized or broken into halves or thirds)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Mushroom soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) Cream of Chicken soup
- 2 ½ cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded (divided)
- ¼ cup Green Bell Pepper, diced
- ¼ cup Yellow Onion, diced
- 1 jar (4 oz) Pimentos, diced and drained
- 6 cups Chicken Broth, for poaching chicken and cooking spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon Seasoned Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional, for a subtle kick)
- Salt and Black Pepper, to taste
- 3 slices Bacon, cooked and chopped (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Poach Chicken: In a saucepan, bring 6 cups of chicken broth to a boil. Add chicken breasts and poach for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove chicken and let it cool slightly. Reserve the chicken broth in the pot. Chop or shred the cooked chicken.
- Cook Spaghetti: Using the same chicken broth, cook the spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain the spaghetti, reserving 1 cup of the chicken broth.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, chopped chicken, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, diced green pepper, diced onion, diced pimentos, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese.
- Add Broth: Pour in 1 cup of the reserved chicken cooking broth and stir until all ingredients are well combined and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble Casserole: Pour the spaghetti mixture into the greased casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown. If the top starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the dish with aluminum foil for the last 15-20 minutes of baking.
- Bacon Topping: Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle the chopped cooked bacon over the top.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before cutting into servings. Serve warm and enjoy this Pioneer Woman inspired comfort food!
Recipe Notes
- Chicken Cooking Options: Poaching chicken keeps it moist, but you can also use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Spice Level: The cayenne pepper is optional. Omit it for a milder flavor or add a pinch more for extra warmth.
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to experiment with different cheeses! Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella would also be delicious.
- Vegetable Additions: For extra veggies, consider adding diced celery, carrots, or mushrooms along with the green pepper and onion. Sauté them lightly before adding to the casserole mixture.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the refrigerator.
- Inspired By: Adapted from a recipe inspired by http://thepioneerwoman.com/
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole including diced vegetables, cooked chicken and cream soups.
Step-by-step image showing dicing green bell peppers and yellow onions for the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.
Image illustrating cooked and chopped chicken, a key ingredient in Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti and Cheese recipe.
Uncooked spaghetti, showcasing the pot-sized spaghetti used in this Pioneer Woman inspired casserole recipe.
Cooked spaghetti and chopped chicken in a large bowl, ready to be combined with other ingredients for the casserole.
Mixing all casserole ingredients together in a large bowl, showing the preparation process for Pioneer Woman Spaghetti and Cheese.
Adding reserved chicken broth to the mixture to achieve the perfect creamy consistency for the casserole.
Baked Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, bubbly and golden brown, ready to be served.
Sprinkling crispy bacon bits on top of the baked casserole, adding a final touch of flavor and texture.
Serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole on a plate, showcasing the delicious and comforting meal.
Another serving of creamy and cheesy Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, highlighting its family-friendly appeal.
Close up of a single serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, emphasizing the cheesy, creamy texture and bacon topping.
Child enjoying a serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, illustrating its kid-friendly and delicious nature.
Enjoy the warm, cheesy goodness of this Pioneer Woman inspired Chicken Spaghetti Casserole – it’s comfort food at its finest!
