Description
Overnight Chicken Fajita Pasta is a delicious and convenient casserole that combines tender cooked chicken, fajita-seasoned vegetables, creamy soups, and pasta. Prepared the night before and baked the next day, this dish delivers rich, hearty flavors with minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknights or family meals.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Mixture
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can unsalted cream of mushroom soup
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 (1.25-oz) packet fajita seasoning
Pasta & Cheese
- 8 oz elbow macaroni, uncooked
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the baking dish: Spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the chopped cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken broth, chopped onion, chopped bell peppers, and fajita seasoning. Stir in the uncooked elbow macaroni until well combined.
- Refrigerate overnight: Pour the pasta and chicken mixture into the prepared pan. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and the pasta to begin softening.
- Remove and uncover: The next day, take the casserole out of the refrigerator and remove the cover.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake the casserole: Place the uncovered pan in the preheated oven and bake for 1 hour until the pasta is tender, the cheese is melted, and the casserole is bubbly and heated through.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken is pre-cooked and chopped before combining with other ingredients.
- You can use reduced-fat or whole milk depending on your preference.
- Do not stir the casserole immediately before baking to allow the pasta to cook evenly.
- Cover tightly with foil if the cheese browns too quickly during baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
