Ranch Pizza Casserole
Creamy Ranch Pizza Casserole made with bow tie pasta, ranch-seasoned chicken, bacon, Alfredo sauce, tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and melted cheese.
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Servings: 8
Ingredients
- 1 lb bacon
- 2 lb boneless chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing mix
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lb bow tie pasta cooked al dente
- 2 jars Alfredo sauce
- 1/3 c evaporated milk or regular milk
- 3 Roma tomatoes diced
- 4 c shredded Mexican cheese blend
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the bow tie pasta according to the package directions. Cook until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until crisp.
- Remove the bacon from the skillet, chop it into pieces, and reserve a small amount of the bacon grease.
- Slice the boneless chicken thighs into small pieces.
- Coat the chicken pieces with the ranch dressing mix.
- In a skillet, heat 1 to 2 tbsp of the reserved bacon grease.
- Add the seasoned chicken, minced garlic, and diced bell pepper.
- Cook until the chicken is fully cooked and the bell pepper has softened.
- Drain any excess grease from the pan, leaving the chicken and bell pepper mixture in the skillet.
- Add 1 jar Alfredo sauce, the evaporated milk or regular milk, and 1 tsp ranch dressing mix to the skillet.
- Stir until the sauce is smooth and evenly combined with the chicken mixture.
- Spread 1/2 jar Alfredo sauce over the bottom of a large casserole dish.
- Add a layer of cooked bow tie pasta over the sauce.
- Spoon a layer of the chicken Alfredo mixture over the pasta.
- Add a layer of diced Roma tomatoes.
- Sprinkle with a portion of the chopped bacon and shredded Mexican cheese blend.
- Repeat the layers until the pasta, sauce, tomatoes, bacon, and cheese are used, making approximately three layers.
- Cover the top of the casserole with the remaining sauce, shredded cheese, and chopped bacon.
- Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, or until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is fully melted.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to cool for several minutes before slicing or serving.
- Serve warm.
Notes
To make this Ranch Pizza Casserole gluten free, replace the regular bow tie pasta with certified gluten-free pasta. Choose a sturdy gluten-free pasta shape, such as gluten-free penne, rotini, or bow ties, and cook it just until al dente to prevent it from becoming too soft during baking.
Also verify that the ranch dressing mix, Alfredo sauce, bacon, shredded cheese, and evaporated milk are labeled gluten free. Some seasoning mixes, jarred sauces, and processed meats may contain gluten-based additives or be processed in facilities with gluten-containing ingredients.
Use clean cookware, utensils, and baking dishes to avoid cross-contact. If preparing for someone with celiac disease or a strict gluten sensitivity, check every packaged ingredient carefully before assembling the casserole.