Description
A spicy, creamy, and cheesy baked spaghetti casserole loaded with juicy chicken, Cajun seasoning, and three kinds of cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights and guaranteed to be a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz spaghetti
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 large red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated (divided)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Fill a large pot with salted water and bring to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook until just al dente (8-9 minutes). Drain, rinse briefly, and set aside.
- Heat butter and olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and bell pepper; sauté until soft and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and Cajun seasoning; cook another 1-2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low. Whisk in cream cheese until melted and smooth. Pour in chicken broth and milk, whisking constantly. Add cheddar and half the parmesan, stirring until creamy. If sauce is too thick, add a splash more milk.
- Add shredded chicken to the skillet, tossing to coat in the sauce. Add cooked spaghetti, folding gently until evenly coated. If pan isn’t big enough, transfer everything to a mixing bowl and stir.
- Sprinkle remaining parmesan over the top. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until golden and bubbling. For extra crispy cheese, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely.
- Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley and cracked black pepper. Slice and serve.
Notes
For extra crispy cheese edges, use a slightly smaller dish. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut. Adjust Cajun seasoning to taste. Let casserole rest before slicing for best texture. Can substitute pasta type, cheeses, or make vegetarian/gluten-free swaps as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Cajun
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 425
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: Cajun chicken spaghetti, cheesy pasta, three cheese casserole, easy dinner, spicy chicken pasta, weeknight meal, comfort food, baked spaghetti