Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

A serving spoon lifts cheesy, baked rotini pasta from a casserole dish, with melted cheese stretching and chopped herbs sprinkled on top.

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta

All the flavors of a classic enchilada, in a family friendly, easy to make pasta dinner! Make Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta YOUR weeknight winner!

Course Dinner

Cuisine Southwestern

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Resting/Cooling 5

Total Time 30

Servings

Calories 871kcal

Author Kylee Ayotte

Equipment

9x13-inch baking dish

Ingredients

1 lb dry pasta I used rotini
10 ounces processed American cheese cut into cubes
2 ½ cups shredded cheese divided
1 cup milk
3 cups cooked chicken shredded or diced finely
19 ounces enchilada sauce make your own!
4.5 ounces diced green chiles
3 tablespoons butter melted
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
2 teaspoons garlic powder

Optional

Cilantro, limes, sour cream for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
Cook 1 lb dry pasta until JUST cooked (use minimum recommended cooking time on package). Drain and set aside.
In a large microwave safe bowl add cubed 10 ounces processed American cheese, 1/2 cup of 2 ½ cups shredded cheese and 1 cup milk.
Cook on high in 30-second increments, mixing at each increment, until cheese melts and mixture is smooth and well blended.
Add the cheese mixture to the pasta stir pasta into cheese sauce.
In a large bowl, mix 3 cups cooked chicken, 19 ounces enchilada sauce,4.5 ounces diced green chiles, 3 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning and 2 teaspoons garlic powder.
Mix into the pasta, and top with remaining 2 cups of cheese.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbling on the sides.
Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly, then serve with the cilantro, limes, and sour cream.
Devour.

Notes

Try layering the pasta mixture and the chicken mixture - kind of like how you'd do lasagna.

What to do with leftovers

Store in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat until it is piping hot!

Substitutions/Additions

Use different kinds of pasta, penne, rotini, bow ties, shells - all work fine.

Any kind of cheese works for this. Pick your favorite! Cheddar cheese and pepper jack are my favorites.

Add some black beans to the pasta for another boost of protein and flavor.

Instead of shredded chicken, cooked ground turkey can also be used.

Nutrition