Cheesy Chicken And Pasta Cakes Recipes

CHEESY RANCH CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine shredded chicken and dry ranch seasoning. (This is your chicken mixture.)
• To a large Dutch oven over medium heat, add the chicken broth, penne, and chicken mixture. Stir to combine and then bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and then cover and cook for about 15 to 20 minutes or until the pasta is cooked to your preference. There should still be some liquid in the pot when the pasta is done cooking.
• Add the cream cheese to the dutch oven and stir until most of the cream cheese has melted.
• Add the bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir everything until cheese is fully melted.
• Garnish with parsley and serve.

CHEESY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F.
• Cook shells al dente according to package directions.
• Cook onion and red bell pepper in butter until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt and chili powder.
• In a large bowl combine soup, onion mixture, milk and 2 cups cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. Mix well. Stir in chicken, pasta and green chiles.
• Spread into a 9x13 casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
• Bake 30-35 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

MAKE-AHEAD CHEESY SOUTHWEST CHICKEN AND PASTA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
• Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
• Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
• To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

CHEESY CHICKEN AND PASTA CAKES

Steps:

• Cook pasta as directed on package, omitting salt; drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Reserve 2 Tbsp. Parmesan and 1 Tbsp. onions. Combine remaining Parmesan and onions with pasta and all remaining ingredients except salsa and cream cheese; shape into 8 (4-inch) patties, using about 1/2 cup pasta mixture for each. Refrigerate 30 min. Meanwhile, blend reserved spaghetti cooking water, salsa and cream cheese in blender until smooth.
• Heat large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray on medium heat. Add pasta cakes, in batches; cook 2 to 3 min. on each side or until heated through and browned on both sides. Meanwhile, cook cream cheese sauce in saucepan on medium heat 5 min. or until heated through, stirring frequently.
• Serve pasta cakes topped with sauce, and reserved Parmesan and onions.