Chicken-Macaroni Casserole

Submitted by ratherbeswimmin

"Southern Living: a simple homey casserole my kids like."

 

• Ready In: 1hr
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons butter or 3 tablespoons margarine, melted
• 2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 1 cup milk
• 3 1⁄2 cups chopped cooked chicken
• 2 1⁄2 cups cooked macaroni
• salt
• pepper
• 1⁄4 cup Ritz cracker crumbs

directions

1. In a large skillet over med-high heat, saute onions in butter until onions are tender.
2. Add in soup and 1 ½ cups cheese; gradually stir in milk.
3. Cook over medium heat until cheese melts; stir in chicken and macaroni; taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
4. Transfer mixture to a greased 2 ½ quart casserole; sprinkle with cracker crumbs.
5. Bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30 minutes or until heated through.
6. Top with remaining ½ cup cheese and bake 5 minutes.

Reviews

[damknit]

This is the best. casserole. EVER! I use egg noodles instead of macaroni, and omit the onion. I also put 2 cups of cheese in the sauce, because The Boy complained it wasn't 'cheesy enough'. Definitely use the Ritz crackers on the topping - it's the BEST! The Boy is a very picky eater, so this is one of the only 'normal' foods that he will eat with very little complaint. In my book, that's a huge win!

 

[jravenel1]

Instead of using Ritz cracker topping, I used Pepperidge Farms Herb Stuffing Mix sprinkled on top. And lots more chicken, but no onion in the casserole. I stir fried zucchinni and onions on stove top and put on top of husbands serving. Yummy!

 

[tcshowboat]

Easy to throw together, tastes yummy, and kid friendly. I did make a few changes. I did not use onion, as my family does not really like them, but I used onion powder. I also used the meat from a rotisserie chicken. I threw in some garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika and a couple tablespoons of REAL bacon bits for extra flavor. Finally for the finishing touch, I added some French's Cheddar French Fried Onions to the Ritz crackers and cheese on top. (just a little to hide it from the kids but add a layer of flavor to the topping.)

 

[queenanna28_9510016]

So easy and delicious. I substituted a can of chicken soup with cheddar cheese soup. Also when boiling the pasta I added some frozen broccoli and made this is to a one pan meal with vegetables included!

 

[Maria Angela S.]

I substitute with egg noodles or farfalle (bowtie), chicken stock or broth for the milk and 1 can cream of mushroom and 1 can cream of celery as I think the cream of chicken is distastefully overpowering. The chicken broth or stock is best when reserved from gently sauteing dark and white meat chicken gemtly then adding water or broth with seasoning to taste and gently simmering until chicken is tender and broth very flavorful. Home made white sauce can be substituted for one can of soup. If you love mushrooms, as do I, gently saute 2 cups sliced mushrooms until just cooked but not rubbery or terribly shrunken, fold in just prior to baking! Use a bit of fresh or dried basil in last two minutes of sauteing the mushrooms... Yum!!!!! Buon Apetitto!!!!! Mangia Tutto