The Monday Night Comfort Food You Actually Want

Some meals just feel like home. This is one of them.

Creamy sauce, crispy bacon, tender chicken, ranch seasoning, and plenty of melty all baked together into one bubbling pan of comfort food perfection. Add garlic bread and a side salad, and suddenly Monday feels a whole lot more manageable.

This recipe is easy enough for a busy weeknight but good enough that everyone will ask for it again.

Why We Love This Pasta Bake

• Simple ingredients
• Great use for leftover chicken
• Family-friendly
• Easy to prep ahead
• Reheats incredibly well
• Extra cheesy (which is obviously important)

The combination of ranch seasoning and smoky bacon gives this dish huge flavor without making it complicated.

Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 2 cups shredded from Tri State Cheese
• 1 block (8 oz) cream cheese
• 2 cups heavy cream or half & half
• 1 packet ranch seasoning
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt & pepper to taste
• Optional: chopped green onions

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne until just shy of fully done. Drain and set aside.

2. Make the Sauce

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Add the ranch seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

3. Mix Everything Together

Stir in the chicken, cooked pasta, half the bacon, and 1½ cups of shredded cheese.

4. Bake

Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Top with the remaining cheese and bacon.

Bake at 375°F for 20–25 minutes until hot, bubbly, and lightly golden on top.

5. Serve

Top with chopped green onions if you want a little color and freshness.

Serve hot with garlic bread and a simple salad.

A Few Easy Variations

Want to change it up a bit?

• Add sautéed mushrooms
• Toss in spinach
• Use shredded smoked chicken
• Add buffalo sauce for heat
• Swap penne for rotini or shells

The Cheese Makes the Difference

A good pasta bake needs cheese that melts well and actually tastes like something. Freshly shredded gives this dish a creamy melt and rich flavor that store-brand bagged cheese just doesn’t match.

If you haven’t tried cheese from Tri State Cheese yet, this recipe is a pretty great place to start.

Final Thoughts

This is the kind of meal that disappears fast. It’s warm, cheesy, filling, and easy to throw together after a long day.