Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe
This Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is full of juicy chicken, crispy bacon, and tender pasta all drenched in a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce. It’s easy to make, ready in under 30 minutes, and loaded with flavor! My family gobbles this one up every time!
For more Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes be sure to check out my Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, King Ranch Chicken, and Instant Pot Chicken and Noodles.
If you’re looking for a super easy family-friendly dinner, you need this Chicken Bacon Ranch Recipe in your rotation.
It’s full of tasty ingredients, is quick and easy to throw together, and is the perfect way to use up leftover chicken, or put a rotisserie chicken to good use.
The combination of chicken, bacon, zesty ranch, and gooey cheese is seriously a slam dunk. It tastes delicious as leftovers the next day, and is easy to make ahead of time, too
Dinners like this one are truly my family’s favorite kind. My kids are big pasta fans, so any recipe with pasta (and cheese!) is always a hit. My Million Dollar Pasta Bake and Italian Sausage Pasta are some other easy pasta recipes you should check out if you have pasta lovers at home, too!
Ingredients for Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
- Cooked pasta – any short pasta will work here. I used rotini, but you could also use farfalle or penne pasta. You will not need a full box, which is usually one pound. You will only need 12 ounces, so make sure to weigh/measure it out.
- Cooked chicken – I like to use rotisserie chicken, but you can use leftover chicken or cook some boneless skinless chicken breasts and shred the meat.
- Bacon – I recommend using 4-6 slices of cooked bacon. I use thick cut bacon and cook mine until nice and crispy and then chop it into small pieces.
- Alfredo sauce – you will need one small jar of Alfredo sauce (15 ounces.) I love Rao’s brand for best flavor, but you could also use homemade or your favorite jarred sauce.
- Ranch seasoning – this is DRY ranch dressing mix; not liquid. It adds so much savory flavor to the delicious creamy sauce.
- Shredded cheese – I like to use a combination of different cheeses in this easy pasta recipe. I use mozzarella cheese and cheddar, but you could also use Colby jack cheese in place of the cheddar or add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese.
A full list of ingredients, measurements, and instructions are located in the recipe card below.
How to Make This Easy Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe – Step by Step
Combine the cooked pasta, chicken, bacon, alfredo sauce, ranch seasoning, and half of the cheeses in a large bowl. Stir to coat everything well.
Transfer the pasta to a greased casserole dish and spread evenly.
Top with the remaining cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Tips and Notes
- Serving suggestions: I love to serve any of my pasta recipes with a nice green salad or steamed veggies, and Air Fryer Garlic Bread on the side.
- Making ahead of time: You can prep your chicken ranch pasta ahead of time for the same day or the next day and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. It’s a great make-ahead dish for busy weeknights and is also the perfect meal to send to a family member or friend in need.
- High protein substitution: Swap in high-protein pasta like Banza chickpea pasta, Barilla Protein+, or my personal favorite: Brami pasta. They all work well here and add a nice protein boost.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one until heated to your liking.
More Easy Weeknight Dinners Ready in Under 30 Minutes
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces cooked pasta, I used rotini
- 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken
- 4-6 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
- 15 ounce jar Alfredo sauce, I prefer Rao's brand
- 3 Tablespoons dry ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain well.
- Combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, chopped bacon, alfredo sauce, ranch seasoning, and half of the cheeses in a large bowl. Stir to coat everything well
- Transfer the pasta to the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
Notes
- Serving suggestions: I love to serve any of my pasta recipes with a nice green salad or steamed veggies, and Air Fryer Garlic Bread on the side.
- Making ahead of time: You can prep your chicken ranch pasta ahead of time for the same day or the next day and store it in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap. It’s a great make-ahead dish for busy weeknights and is also the perfect meal to send to a family member or friend in need.
- High protein substitution: Swap in high-protein pasta like Banza chickpea pasta, Barilla Protein+, or my personal favorite: Brami pasta. They all work well here and add a nice protein boost.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one until heated to your liking.
