Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Casserole
Cheesy Chicken Macaroni Casserole is a protein-rich dinner with cheesy goodness perfect for picky eaters. Make this easy family meal with all the comfort of cheesy pasta but with the added benefit of lean protein. Leftovers reheat very well making this recipe great for meal prep too.
Ingredients
- 22 oz oven-roasted diced chicken breast from the freezer section
- 8 oz elbow macaroni
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- 2 ½ cups milk
- 1 Tbsp German whole grain mustard
- 2 tsp Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning mix
- ½ cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 3 cups reduced fat sharp cheddar cheese divided
Instructions
Cook the pasta
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Heat oven to 350℉
- Put the macaroni to cook in the boiling water to al dente according to package directions.
Make the sauce
- While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Add the flour and whisk until smooth.
- Cook the butter and flour mixture (aka roux) for a minute to cook the flour.
- Whisk in the milk and cook, stirring constantly, until milk starts to steam. Remove from the heat.
- To the sauce, whisk in the mustard and ranch seasoning. Stir in the cottage cheese, salt, and 2 cups of the shredded cheddar cheese.
Assemble and bake
- Add the chicken and cooked macaroni to the sauce and pour all into a 13 x 9 bake dish.
- Top with the last cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes until casserole is heated through and bubbly.
Notes
This is a great recipe to use up leftover chicken. Light or dark meat will work.
Nutrition
Calories: 486kcal (24%) | Carbohydrates: 23g (8%) | Protein: 45g (90%) | Fat: 22g (34%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 118mg (39%) | Sodium: 1406mg (61%) | Potassium: 595mg (17%) | Fiber: 1g (4%) | Sugar: 8g (9%)
Calorie count is purely an estimate calculated using an online application to serve as a guide and not to be taken as accurate nutritional information. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below and let me know!