Description
Overnight Chicken Tetrazzini is a comforting and creamy casserole dish featuring tender chicken, elbow macaroni, and a rich sauce made with cream of chicken and mushroom soups. This recipe combines convenience and flavor as the pasta and sauce marinate overnight, making it an easy-to-prepare meal perfect for busy weeknights or family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Soup Mixture
- 4 cups chopped cooked chicken (whole rotisserie chicken)
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1¼ cup milk
- 1¼ cup chicken broth
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
Pasta and Toppings
- 8-oz elbow macaroni (uncooked)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and set aside.
- Mix the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the chopped cooked chicken, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, milk, chicken broth, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir well to blend all ingredients uniformly. Then fold in the uncooked elbow macaroni, ensuring the pasta is well coated with the sauce mixture.
- Refrigerate overnight: Pour the pasta and chicken mixture into the prepared baking pan. Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld and for the pasta to absorb the liquid.
- Prepare to bake: The next day, take the casserole out of the refrigerator and remove the cover. Let it sit briefly at room temperature while you preheat the oven.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to get it ready for baking the casserole.
- Add cheese topping: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. This will create a flavorful crust as the dish bakes.
- Bake the casserole: Place the uncovered casserole in the preheated oven. Bake for 1 hour, or until the pasta is tender and the top is golden and bubbly.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken saves time and adds great flavor.
- Make sure to refrigerate the casserole covered overnight to avoid drying out.
- You can substitute elbow macaroni with other short pasta shapes like penne or shells.
- For a crispier top, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking, but watch carefully to avoid burning.
- Add sautéed mushrooms or peas for extra vegetable nutrients and flavor.
- This recipe is best consumed within 2 days of baking for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
