Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

Our family devours this Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel any time we make it. Loaded with perfectly cooked pasta, shredded chicken, and creamy, cheesy sauce, this one is a kid-friendly comfort food. There are hardly ever leftovers but it does store, freeze, and reheat well if you want to make a double batch!

This casserole layers tons of flavor with cheesy chicken, a creamy mushroom sauce, tender spaghetti, and tangy Rotel tomatoes. Take one bite and you’ll see why it’s so irresistible! This is a dish we will often bring over to new neighbors or new parents who need a break from cooking.

For more easy casserole recipes, try our Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole, Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole, and our zesty Chicken Taco Casserole. 

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Easy to Customize: This Rotel chicken spaghetti works so well with different kinds of protein, cheese, and pasta! You can mix up the flavors based on what your family likes.
• Only Takes 1 Hour to Make: When you need an easy, effortless dinner on the table quickly, this easy recipe always delivers!
• Made with Pantry Staples: You likely won’t need to do too much shopping to make this spaghetti chicken recipe! We’re using simple, everyday ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Spaghetti: Al dente spaghetti is our favorite pasta for this easy chicken spaghetti bake but you can use other kinds too. Penne, rotini, fettuccine, and bow tie are all great choices.
• Yellow Onion, Green Bell Pepper, and Garlic: Aromatic veggies add wonderful savory flavor to the dish. They’re cut up finely so picky eaters won’t even notice they’re in there.
• Butter: Butter is used to saute the veggies. You could also use olive oil or any neutral oil.
• Seasonings: We will use Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, and salt for this creamy chicken spaghetti.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup and Sour Cream: The creamy soup and sour cream are what make this such great comfort food. You could use cream of chicken or cream of celery, too.
• Cheddar Cheese: Bubbling, slightly crusty cheese is key to this dish. You can use mild or sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or whatever other cheese you love.  
• Rotel Tomatoes with Green Chilies: The Rotel tomatoes add flavor and color. Fire-roasted tomatoes work well, too. Choose a can with the heat level you prefer. You can make mild or spicy chicken spaghetti based on what your family loves.
• Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken works really well for this recipe. You can also make chicken using boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless thighs. This casserole would also be a great way to use up leftover Thanksgiving turkey. 

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

Variations

• Add Veggies: Peppers, onion, sliced mushrooms, and spinach all go well in this chicken Rotel spaghetti. They also hide well in there if you have picky eaters!
• Add Meat: Want a heartier version of this dish? Add bacon crumbles or Italian sausage.
• Mix Up the Flavors: Use a different kind of protein, cheese, or pasta. Changing the ingredients makes it easy to keep this dish on regular rotation because it feels like something new.
• Italian-Inspired Casserole: Use shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan, rigatoni or penne, and Italian sausage.
• Tex-Mex Flavors: Use pepper jack and Monterey jack, elbow macaroni or rotini, and ground beef or ground turkey seasoned with taco spices.
• Make It Spicier: Throw in jalapenos, cayenne pepper, or red pepper flakes.
• Add Herbs: You could add fresh chopped cilantro, basil, or chopped parsley for even more flavor.

How To Make Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

Here’s exactly how to make cheesy chicken spaghetti in just 5 steps. Before making the casserole, preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.

1. Step 1: Cook the Pasta. Cook it al dente, drain well, then set aside. You can break the spaghetti in half if you want. Note that using a different kind of pasta will require a different cooking time, so check the box of whichever kind of pasta you're using.
2. Step 2: Cook the Veggies. Melt the butter over medium-high heat and then saute up the onions, garlic, and bell pepper until they're tender. It usually takes about 5-6 minutes.
3. Step 3: Add the Seasonings and Other Ingredients. Mix in the Italian seasoning, paprika, black pepper, salt, cream of mushroom soup, and 1 ¼ cups of cheese. Cook until the cheese is completely melted. Remove from the heat.
4. Step 4: Finish the Casserole. Add the spaghetti, sour cream, Rotel tomatoes, and chicken to the sauce. Stir until everything is well combined.
5. Step 5: Bake. Pour into the prepared baking dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbling.

Storage Directions 

• Storing: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container or a sealed freezer bag in the refrigerator. Spaghetti with chicken will stay good for 3 to 4 days.
• Freezing: To freeze, let the casserole cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You could also transfer it to a freezer-safe container. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat it, thaw the casserole overnight in the refrigerator.
• Reheating: For single portions of Mexican chicken spaghetti, use the microwave and heat until warmed through. To reheat the entire casserole, place it in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated all the way through.

Serving Suggestions

If you need some weeknight comfort food, this is it– the best chicken spaghetti recipe! This recipe is great for a quick, satisfying meal, a big family gathering or potluck, or delicious leftovers. It’s also perfect for a meal train if you’re bringing food to someone in the hospital, who recently had a baby, or who’s recovering from an injury. They will love it!

• Serve with crusty garlic bread, sloppy joe garlic bread, cornbread, a side salad, this creamy cucumber salad, or roasted veggies.
• Make it on Sunday as a game day meal and serve alongside crockpot little smokies, French bread pizza, tortilla chips, and restaurant-style salsa and Rotel dip.
• Serve a scoop of cheesy chicken spaghetti casserole with homemade dinner rolls, orange dreamsicle salad, and chocolate turtle cookies for dessert.

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