Description
This Chicken Noodle Casserole is a cozy, creamy dish filled with tender noodles, seasoned vegetables, savory chicken, and a cheesy sauce, topped with a crunchy Ritz cracker crust. Perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting family dinner, this casserole will quickly become a favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 12 ounces extra-wide egg noodles
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 10 ounces mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 cups whole milk
- 2 cups low-sodium or homemade chicken broth
- 6 ounces American cheese, deli style, rough chopped
- 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 4 cups cooked chicken, diced (about 4 medium chicken breasts or 1 rotisserie chicken)
- 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
For the Topping:
- 20 Ritz crackers, broken into small pieces
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the egg noodles according to the package instructions, drain, and set aside. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms, carrots, and onion, and sauté until the vegetables are softened, about 7-8 minutes.
- Add the flour to the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Slowly pour in the whole milk and chicken broth while stirring, and bring to a simmer. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Stir in the chopped American cheese, shredded cheddar, garlic powder, and Dijon mustard. Continue stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Add the cooked chicken and frozen peas to the sauce, and stir until well combined.
- Add the cooked egg noodles to the mixture and stir to combine.
- Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a small bowl, melt the remaining 4 tablespoons of butter and mix with the broken Ritz crackers. Sprinkle the cracker mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute the American cheese with mozzarella if you prefer a different texture.
- For added flavor, you can sprinkle some fresh herbs like parsley or thyme on top before serving.
- This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days before baking.
- Use leftover rotisserie chicken for an even quicker prep time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American