“Everyone in our family loves this. The husband, the 7 year old, the 4 year old, and probably even the dog would too.”

This recipe combines the creamy goodness of Alfredo sauce with the zesty flavors of ranch dressing, crispy bacon, and juicy chicken to create a heartwarming Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake. It’s a perfect dish for busy weeknights, potlucks, or feeding a crowd.

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients (presented in a table) with step-by-step instructions for preparing this delicious pasta bake:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

1. Preheat and Prepare:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.

2. Cook the Pasta:

   • Following the package instructions, cook the penne pasta in boiling water until it reaches al dente (slightly firm to the bite) Drain the cooked pasta and set it aside.

3. Crisp up the Bacon:

   • While the pasta cooks, fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it’s crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and crumble it into small pieces. You can reserve some of the bacon drippings in the skillet for sautéing the chicken if desired.

4. Sauté the Chicken:

   • Season the chicken breast cubes with salt and pepper. Using the same skillet you cooked the bacon in (with some reserved bacon drippings if using), sauté the chicken pieces over medium-high heat until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

5. Combine the Creamy Sauce:

   • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the Alfredo sauce and ranch dressing until well combined and creamy.

6. Assemble the Bake:

   • Add the cooked and drained pasta, crumbled bacon, and cooked chicken pieces to the bowl with the creamy sauce mixture. Stir everything together until the pasta, chicken, and bacon are evenly coated with the sauce.

7. Transfer to Baking Dish:

   • Pour the entire pasta mixture into your greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

8. Cheese Time!

   • Sprinkle the grated mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the pasta bake.

9. Bake and Broil (Optional):

   • Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the pasta bake is hot and bubbly throughout. The cheese on top should be melted and slightly golden brown.

   • For an extra crispy and golden-brown cheese topping, you can broil the pasta bake for a minute or two after it’s done baking. Keep a close eye on it under the broiler to prevent burning.

10. Garnish and Serve:

    • Take the pasta bake out of the oven (and broiler if used). Let it cool slightly for a few minutes before serving.

    • Optionally, garnish your Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake with chopped fresh parsley or chives for a touch of color and extra flavor.