Description
Firefighters Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy, cheesy baked pasta casserole featuring tender cooked chicken, spaghetti noodles, and a rich blend of cream of chicken and mushroom soups. Enhanced with celery, onions, and a crunchy cornflake topping, this comforting dish is perfect for a hearty family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 12 ounces uncooked spaghetti, broken in half
Cheese Sauce
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup butter, melted, divided
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley flakes
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Vegetables and Meat
- 2 to 3 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 can (4 ounces) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
- 5 cups cubed cooked chicken
Topping
- 1–1/2 cups crushed cornflakes
Instructions
- Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cook the spaghetti according to package directions until al dente, then drain thoroughly to avoid excess moisture in the casserole.
- Make Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the undiluted cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, whole milk, and 2 tablespoons of melted butter. Season with dried parsley flakes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir in the shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheeses, chopped celery, chopped onion, and drained mushrooms until well mixed.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cubed cooked chicken and cooked spaghetti to the cheese mixture. Gently stir everything together to ensure the spaghetti and chicken are well coated with the creamy sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Grease a 3-quart baking dish thoroughly. Transfer the spaghetti and chicken mixture into the dish, spreading evenly to fill the dish completely.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed cornflakes with the remaining melted butter. Sprinkle this buttery cornflake topping evenly over the surface of the casserole for a crunchy finish.
- Bake: Place the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly, hot throughout, and the topping is golden brown.
Notes
- Make sure to not overcook the spaghetti; al dente texture helps maintain structure in the casserole.
- Using part-skim mozzarella helps reduce fat while maintaining creamy meltiness.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or smoked paprika to the cheese mixture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before adding; rotisserie chicken works well for convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken spaghetti casserole, baked pasta, creamy chicken recipes, comfort food, cheesy casserole
