Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel Recipe

This Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel is a comforting and flavorful casserole that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a casual get-together. Tender spaghetti, shredded chicken, and a medley of vegetables are coated in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a hint of spice from Rotel tomatoes. It’s a simple and satisfying dish that’s sure to please the whole family.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Creamy and cheesy: The combination of cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, and cheddar cheese creates a rich and decadent sauce that coats every ingredient.
• Flavorful: The addition of Rotel tomatoes, onions, garlic, and spices adds a depth of flavor and a touch of heat to the dish.
• Easy to make: This recipe is simple to follow and requires minimal prep work.
• Versatile: You can easily customize the recipe with different vegetables or herbs to your liking.

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Ingredients for Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients to create a comforting and flavorful casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Spaghetti Pasta: Cooked al dente for a perfect texture.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and flavor to the sauce.
• Yellow Onion and Garlic: Aromatic essentials that add depth and flavor.
• Cream of Chicken Soup and Cream of Mushroom Soup: Create a creamy base for the sauce.
• Cream Cheese: Adds a tangy flavor and extra creaminess.
• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Adds a sharp and cheesy flavor.
• Cooked Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or cook your own chicken breasts.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Paprika, Dried Thyme, Cayenne Pepper (optional): Seasonings that add depth and warmth to the dish.
• Salt and Cracked Black Pepper: Enhance the overall taste.
• Rotel Tomatoes: Adds a zesty kick and a touch of heat. You can use original, mild, or hot Rotel.
• Low-Sodium Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor and helps create the sauce.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

How to Make Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

Step 1: Preheat and Cook the Pasta

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. Cook the spaghetti in salted water until al dente. Drain the pasta, rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process, and set aside.

Step 2: Make the Sauce

Melt the butter in a Dutch oven or stockpot over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in the cream of mushroom soup, cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar cheese, Rotel tomatoes, shredded chicken, and seasonings (onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper, if using). Season with salt and cracked black pepper to taste. Cook, stirring, until the cheeses are melted. Stir in the chicken broth until the sauce is smooth.

Step 3: Combine and Bake

Add the cooked spaghetti to the pot and stir to combine. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden brown.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Remove the casserole from the oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Allow the chicken spaghetti to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Chicken: You can use any type of cooked chicken you like, such as rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or cooked chicken breasts or thighs.
• Rotel: If you don’t have Rotel tomatoes, you can use diced tomatoes, a combination of diced tomatoes and green chilies, or chunky salsa.
• Pasta: Be sure to cook the pasta al dente so that it doesn’t become mushy in the oven.
• Cheese: You can use other types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or a Mexican blend.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

• Weeknight dinner: This casserole is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
• Potluck or gathering: It’s also a great dish to bring to a potluck or gathering.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover chicken spaghetti in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven until heated through.

FAQs

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it later. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

My casserole is a bit watery, what did I do wrong?
If your casserole is watery, it could be that you didn’t drain the pasta well enough or that the chicken or vegetables released some moisture during baking. You can try draining the pasta more thoroughly or patting the chicken and vegetables dry before adding them to the casserole.

Can I make this casserole spicier?
Yes, you can add more red pepper flakes or use a hotter variety of Rotel tomatoes.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Easy Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel. I hope you enjoy it!

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