Craving a dish that screams comfort and home-style goodness? Look no further than the Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Spaghetti Casserole. This recipe, adapted from the queen of comforting cuisine herself, Ree Drummond, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Perfect for chilly evenings, potlucks, or simply a heartwarming family dinner, this chicken spaghetti casserole is easy to throw together and delivers big on flavor. It’s a timeless classic for a reason, and this version takes all the best parts of a Southern casserole and elevates them for a truly satisfying meal.
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)
- 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 1/2 cups Cheddar Cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1/4 cup Green Bell Pepper, diced
- 1/4 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
- 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (optional)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 3 slices Bacon, cooked and chopped, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Poach Chicken: In a large pot, 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 cool slightly. Chop or shred the chicken. Reserve 1 cup of the chicken broth.
- Cook Spaghetti: In the same chicken broth, cook spaghetti until al dente according to package directions. Drain spaghetti and return to the pot or transfer to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the chopped chicken, diced green pepper, diced onion, diced pimentos, cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, seasoned salt, cayenne pepper (if using), and 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the spaghetti. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Broth: Stir in 1 cup of the reserved chicken cooking broth until the mixture is well combined and slightly creamy.
- Bake: Pour the chicken spaghetti mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
- Bake Time: Bake for 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and lightly golden brown. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover loosely with foil.
- Bacon Topping: In the last few minutes of baking, or right after removing from the oven, sprinkle the chopped cooked bacon over the casserole.
- Serve: Let the casserole cool slightly before cutting into servings. Serve warm and enjoy this comforting Pioneer Woman classic!
Tips and Variations for Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti
- Spice it up: For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the cayenne pepper, or use a can of diced tomatoes and green chilies (like Rotel) instead of pimentos.
- Cheese Lovers’ Dream: Experiment with different cheeses! Monterey Jack, Colby, or a blend of cheddar and mozzarella would all be delicious. You can also add a layer of cheese in the middle of the casserole for extra cheesiness.
- Vegetable Boost: Add more vegetables like diced celery, mushrooms, or carrots for added flavor and nutrition. Sauté them with the onions and peppers before adding them to the casserole.
- Creamier Casserole: For a richer, creamier texture, stir in 1/2 cup of sour cream or cream cheese along with the soups.
- Make-Ahead Meal: Assemble the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator (unbaked) for up to 24 hours. Add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking directly from the fridge.
This image displays a close-up of the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, showcasing its golden-brown, cheesy top and bubbly texture, emphasizing its comforting and appetizing appearance.
A baking dish filled with Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is presented after baking, highlighting the even cooking and the melted cheese topping, ready to be served as a warm and comforting meal.
Diced green bell peppers and yellow onions are shown prepared in bowls, illustrating the fresh vegetable ingredients needed for the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti recipe.
Cooked and shredded chicken is displayed in a bowl, representing the protein component of the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole recipe, ready to be mixed with other ingredients.
Uncooked spaghetti noodles are held up, demonstrating the type of pasta used in the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti recipe before being cooked and added to the casserole.
Chicken broth is shown being poured from a measuring cup, emphasizing the step of reserving chicken broth after poaching the chicken, which is later used to add moisture and flavor to the spaghetti casserole.
Cooked spaghetti is added to a large mixing bowl, illustrating the step of combining the pasta with other ingredients to prepare the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.
Cans of cream of mushroom and cream of chicken soup are displayed, showing the creamy base ingredients for the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.
Various ingredients including diced vegetables, canned soups, and seasonings are shown mixed together in a bowl with spaghetti, demonstrating the combination of components for the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.
Chicken broth is being poured into a bowl with spaghetti and other ingredients, illustrating the step of adding reserved broth to create a creamy texture for the Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti.
The chicken spaghetti mixture is poured into a greased casserole dish, demonstrating the step of preparing the casserole for baking in the Pioneer Woman recipe.
Shredded cheddar cheese is sprinkled over the chicken spaghetti in a casserole dish, illustrating the final topping before baking the Pioneer Woman recipe.
The Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is shown baking in the oven, representing the cooking process that transforms the ingredients into a warm and bubbly dish.
Chopped bacon is sprinkled over the baked chicken spaghetti casserole, illustrating the final touch of adding crispy bacon to enhance the flavor of the Pioneer Woman recipe.
A serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is lifted out of the baking dish with a spoon, showcasing a portion of the finished dish ready to be served.
Two servings of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole are plated and ready to eat, highlighting the final presentation of the comforting and cheesy meal.
A person is shown enjoying a serving of Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole, emphasizing the deliciousness and satisfaction of eating this homemade comfort food.
An overhead shot of the completed Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti Casserole in a baking dish, showcasing its overall appearance, cheesy topping, and inviting presentation.
This Pioneer Woman Chicken Spaghetti recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an experience. It’s the taste of home, the warmth of comfort food, and the joy of sharing a delicious dish with loved ones. Gather your ingredients and get ready to create a casserole that will become a family favorite for years to come!
