Chicken Spaghetti Mac and Cheese
Similar in flavor to macaroni and cheese, chicken spaghetti mac and cheese is made using spaghetti noodles, chicken, and tomatoes. My homemade macaroni and cheese will be a hit with you as well!
Chicken Spaghetti Mac and Cheese
Ingredients
- 16 Ounce Spaghetti noodles, cooked al dente according to package instructions
- ½ Cup (1 stick/113g) Unsalted butter
- ½ Cup (62.5g) All-purpose flour
- 3 Cups (735g) Whole milk, warmed (about 100°F)
- 2½ Tsp Kosher salt
- ½ Tsp Ground mustard
- ¼ Tsp Garlic powder
- ¼ Tsp Cayenne pepper (optional)
- 2 Ounce Cream cheese
- 4 Cups (452g) Sharp cheddar, shredded and divided
- 1 Cup (113g) Mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ¼ Tsp Black pepper
- 3 Cups (420g) Rotisserie chicken, shredded and chopped
- 1 Can (14.5 Ounces) Diced tomatoes, drained
- Parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Spray nonstick cooking spray on a 9 x 13-inch baking dish and preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- For one to two minutes, or until the mixture thickens and is completely combined, add the flour and whisk continuously. (A roux is being created by you.)
- Take off the heat and slowly add the heated milk while whisking continuously.
- Put the pan back on the burner and stir for a further three to five minutes, or until it thickens.
- Stir in the cayenne pepper, ground mustard, salt, and garlic powder. Take off the heat.
- Add the mozzarella, 3 cups of sharp cheddar, and cream cheese. To melt, stir.
- Add the cooked noodles, chicken, diced tomatoes, cheese sauce, salt, and pepper to a big bowl. Toss to coat.
- Transfer to the baking dish that has been prepped and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar cheese on top.
- The cheese should be hot and bubbling after 25 to 30 minutes of baking uncovered.
- Serve hot, garnished with optional parsley.
Ingredients for Chicken Spaghetti Mac and Cheese
Noodles: As previously mentioned, spaghetti noodles were used in this recipe instead of macaroni noodles. But you could definitely make your homemade pasta or utilize pasta you already have!
Cheese: For the cheese sauce, we used mozzarella, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese. You won’t find a more cheesy dish than this one! You might alternatively use mild cheddar cheese.
Chicken: I chose rotisserie chicken because I enjoy its convenience. However, feel free to use any chicken you have on hand, such as roasted thighs or breasts.
Tomatoes: I used diced tomatoes from a drained can. For a little kick, you may also add a can of tomatoes and chilies or fresh tomatoes to the mix.
Macaroni and cheese with chicken spaghetti?
Is spaghetti involved? Is it mac and cheese with chicken? Well, sort of macaroni & cheese with chicken spaghetti!
Using spaghetti noodles instead of macaroni noodles made it difficult for me to understand the “mac and cheese” title. (Yeah, Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti was the original name intended.) However, that initial bite! The first thing it made me think of was creamy macaroni and cheese. That’s how this strangely called recipe came to be! Please overlook the name and savor this food!
Can I finish this before the deadline?
Indeed! Everything can be placed in the baking dish. Then, put the dish in the fridge with a lid on for the entire night. Take off the cover and bake when you’re ready. The baking time may need to be extended by a few minutes.
Can Chicken Spaghetti Macaroni and Cheese Be Freeze-Dried?
Indeed! This dish is best frozen before baking. Cover the dish (for storage, I prefer to use a disposable pan, such as an aluminum foil dish). Please keep it in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before putting it in the oven when you’re ready to bake.
Can I Cut Down on the Cheese?
Yes, you could cut back on the cheese if you’d like, but this recipe calls for a lot of it. I recommend one cup of less intense cheddar cheese.