This Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini is pure comfort food! It’s a classic dish that’s perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a potluck gathering. I love how the tender chicken and spaghetti are coated in a rich and creamy sauce, with a blend of cheeses and a sprinkle of fresh parsley on top. It’s a simple and satisfying meal that’s sure to please a crowd.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini
- Creamy and Cheesy: This casserole has the perfect balance of creamy and cheesy flavors, thanks to the combination of cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and a blend of cheeses.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is so simple to follow, even for beginner cooks. You’ll have a delicious casserole baking in the oven in no time!
- Versatile: You can customize this casserole with your favorite vegetables, cheeses, or protein.
- Perfect for Leftovers: This casserole tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients for Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini
- Cream of Chicken Soup and Cream of Mushroom Soup: These soups add a creamy texture and a savory flavor to the casserole.
- Sour Cream: Adds tanginess and another layer of creaminess.
- Butter: Melted butter adds richness and flavor.
- Chicken Broth: Adds flavor and helps to create a smooth sauce.
- Salt, Pepper, and Garlic Powder: To season the casserole.
- Frozen Peas: Add a pop of sweetness and color.
- Cooked Chicken: I use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Thin Spaghetti: Cooked al dente spaghetti is the perfect pasta for this casserole.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese and Cheddar Cheese: These cheeses add a gooey, cheesy topping.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: Adds a salty, nutty flavor.
- Fresh Parsley: For garnish.
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
Want to try something different? Here are a few ideas:
- Veggie Variety: Toss in some other vegetables like broccoli florets, chopped mushrooms, or diced bell peppers.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce for some heat.
- Different Cheeses: Try using different types of cheese, like Gruyère, Monterey Jack, or even a Mexican cheese blend.
- Meat Lover’s Twist: Add some cooked ground beef, sausage, or ham to the casserole.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
In a large bowl, whisk together the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, melted butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients
Stir in the peas, chopped or shredded chicken, and cooked spaghetti. Toss to combine until everything is fully coated in the sauce.
Step 4: Bake
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
Step 5: Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Let it stand for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Tips and Tricks
- Even Baking: Make sure the casserole is spread evenly in the baking dish so it cooks evenly.
- Don’t Overcook: Keep an eye on the casserole while it’s baking and avoid overbaking it. The cheese should be melted and bubbly, but not burnt.
- Rest Time: Allowing the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving will help it to set and prevent the sauce from being too runny.
How to Serve
This Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini is delicious on its own, but you can also serve it with:
- Crusty Bread: A slice of crusty bread is perfect for dipping into the creamy sauce.
- Side Salad: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette is a refreshing complement to this hearty casserole.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it later.
- Storing: Store leftover casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the assembled casserole (unbaked) for up to 2 months. Just thaw it in the refrigerator before baking.
- Reheating: Reheat the casserole in the oven at a low temperature or in the microwave until warmed through.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use other types of pasta, such as penne, rotini, or even egg noodles.
Can I use fresh chicken instead of cooked chicken?
Yes, you can use fresh chicken, but you’ll need to cook it before adding it to the casserole.
Can I make this casserole vegetarian?
Yes, you can omit the chicken and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers. You can also use a vegetarian “chicken” substitute.
There you have it! A creamy, cheesy, and delicious recipe for Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini. I hope you enjoy it!
PrintCreamy Chicken Tetrazzini Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 8 Servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Creamy Chicken Tetrazzini is a classic comfort food dish that’s easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. It features tender chicken, spaghetti, and a creamy sauce, all baked to perfection with a cheesy topping.
Ingredients
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 2 cups sour cream
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 1 pound seasoned cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 pound thin spaghetti, cooked al dente
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- Make Sauce: In a large bowl, whisk together both soups, sour cream, butter, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and garlic powder until combined.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the peas, chicken, and spaghetti. Toss to combine until fully coated.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle with the cheeses. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is hot throughout.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley. Let stand 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chicken: You can use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for this recipe.
- Soup: If you don’t have cream of mushroom soup, you can use all cream of chicken soup.
- Vegetables: You can add other vegetables to the casserole, such as chopped onions, green peppers, or mushrooms.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it later. Simply cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Serving
- Calories: 500kcal
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
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