Easy chicken spaghetti is a great freezer-friendly recipe to make ahead for busy weeknights.
Though this may be the most yellow looking food photo you'll ever see me share, this recipe is a picky eater's paradise. Growing up my mom always served a casserole she dubbed "Saucy Pork & Noodle Bake." I shared the recipe a while back but this is a slightly spicier twist on that family favorite.
This version involves a shredded rotisserie chicken (which is easier to come by than the roast pork) and a different shape noodle so for some reason my kids qualify this as a Totally New Idea.
The best part is I always split this recipe in 2 and store one half in the freezer for another night. This is my "I'm so busy I can't See Straight!" go-to dinner. I LOVE having one of these prepped and ready for popping in the oven when my husband is traveling and it is just the kids and myself at the dinner table.
The irony is that I don't have a cooked shot to share with you because it usually appears on our tables in the deep dark late night after homework! Ha!
Why this chicken spaghetti is the perfect make-ahead freezer meal:
Quick Tip #1: You can enjoy the dinner but pre-freeze the leftovers
The problem with most make-ahead dinners is that you spend all that time in the kitchen and then don't actually have any dinner for the night you are cooking.
With this recipe, I assemble the dish but immediately split it into two 8 x 8 baking dishes. I bake one for dinner that night and freeze the other for another quick dinner with zero prep a different night.
Quick Tip #2: The chicken spaghetti reheats so well
All the ingredients in the chicken spaghetti freeze and bake up so well. Your family will never know this was a freezer dish.
Just be sure to use fresh rotisserie chicken when assembling and only freeze the chicken once. (Don't use frozen and then thawed chicken if you plan to freeze the assembled casserole.)
Quick Tip #3: Perfect for busy families
As much as we love family dinner, we don't always have all 4 of us at home every night. Sometimes it is nice to have a smaller pan of food to prepare for just 2 or 3 of us. When one partner has to travel and another is home with the kids, this is a great way to have an easy homecooked meal ready to go that is just the right size.
Freezer-Friendly Chicken Spaghetti
This make-ahead chicken pasta casserole is perfect for stashing in your freezer for a busy night. Split the dish into two 8x8 pans for a small serving dinner or easy side dish.
Ingredients
- 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cans cream of chicken soup
- 2 (7 oz.) canned Mexicorn
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (16 oz.) box thin spaghetti
- 1 (8 oz.) bag of shredded cheddar cheese
- Heavy sprinkle of your favorite seasoned salt
- Optional: A pinch of cayenne pepper
Instructions
Set a large pot of water to boil. Cook the spaghetti for half the time it says on the package, drain and set aside.
In a small sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sautee the chopped onions until translucent and tender.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, onions, corn, and soup until everything is evenly coated.
Distribute the noodles evenly into 2 8x8-inch or 1 9 x 13 baking pan. Shred the chicken and toss it into the noodle mixture using your hands. A spoon doesn’t mix it in well enough. I just kind of use my fingers to get it spread in there evenly.
Lightly sprinkle with seasoned salt.
To Make Ahead and Freeze:
Wrap tightly with tin foil and store. When it is time to bake, preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 35 minutes and then uncover it. Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and continue to bake until hot and bubbly and the cheese has melted. Another 25 minutes or so.
To Bake Right Away:
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cover with shredded cheese and continue to bake another 25 minutes until hot and bubbly and the cheese has melted.
Editor's Note: This is a classic family recipe, originally published in December 2013.
Monika Del Bosque
how would you do this recipe without the cream of chicken soup? My kids would love it, but my son has celiac and can't do the wheat flour found in it. Thanks!
Holly F
Making this tonight - tasted good even before baking and cheese. Thanks!