Bacon is the star of this cozy casserole that I absolutely love to prepare for family dinners and gatherings. The Loaded Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole is not only a one-dish meal that makes cleanup a breeze, but it’s also packed with flavor and comfort. Today, I’ll guide you through the process of making this delightful dish that’s sure to impress everyone at the table.

To get started, I first gather my ingredients. You will need the following:

• 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
• 8 slices of cooked bacon (chopped)
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup frozen broccoli (thawed)
• 1 can of cream of chicken soup
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon of onion powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1.5 cups of cooked pasta (you can use rotini, penne, or whatever you have on hand)
• Extra cheese and bacon for topping

Once I have all the ingredients ready, I start by preheating my oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, I prepare a medium-sized mixing bowl where I combine the cooked chicken, chopped bacon, thawed broccoli, cream of chicken soup, ranch dressing, and the cooked pasta. This mixture is the heart of the casserole, so I make sure to mix everything well so that each ingredient is coated with the flavors of ranch and soup.

Next, I sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, and season with salt and pepper according to my taste. This step is necessary as it elevates the dish’s overall flavor profile. After mixing it all together, I fold in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. You can never go wrong with cheese, right?

Now it’s time to transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. I spread it evenly across the dish, ensuring that every nook and cranny is filled with this cheesy chicken concoction. To finish up, I sprinkle additional shredded cheddar cheese and leftover bacon on top to give it that extra deliciousness.

Once everything is in place, I pop the casserole into the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and golden brown. The aroma will fill your kitchen, making it hard to wait! Once done, I take it out and allow it to cool for a few minutes before serving.

This Loaded Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole is perfect for meal prep, and leftovers taste even better the next day. I encourage you to try this dish as it surely will become a family favorite. Enjoy your meal!