Description

This Fiesta Chicken Pasta Casserole Bake is an easy, creamy, and cheesy dish that combines tender pasta, flavorful shredded chicken, hearty beans, and bold Mexican-inspired flavors. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, this casserole is quick to prepare and will please even the pickiest eaters. Top with fresh cilantro or avocado for a refreshing finishing touch.

Ingredients

Units Scale

Pasta & Base

8 ounces pasta, uncooked
3 cups chicken, cooked and shredded

Canned Ingredients

1 can rotel (10 ounces)
1 can corn, whole kernel (15 ounces, drained)
1 can black beans (15 ounces, drained and rinsed)
1 can green chilis (7 ounces, diced)
1 can cream of chicken soup (10.75 ounces)

Seasonings & Add-ins

1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon garlic salt
3/4 cup black olives, sliced (divided)
1 cup sour cream
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (divided)
Cilantro for garnish

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Instructions

Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking.
Cook the Pasta
Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
Set Aside Toppings
Reserve 1 cup of shredded cheese, 1/4 cup black olives, and cilantro for garnishing your casserole later.
Combine Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, rotel, corn, black beans, green chilis, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cumin, garlic salt, and the remaining shredded cheese and black olives.
Mix in Pasta
Add the cooked pasta into the bowl with the mixture and thoroughly combine all the ingredients.
Transfer to Baking Dish
Pour the mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the reserved shredded cheese over the top and cover the dish with tin foil.
Bake the Casserole
Bake the casserole for 20 minutes. Remove the tin foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to melt and slightly brown the cheese topping.
Garnish and Serve
Remove the casserole from the oven. Top with the reserved black olives, fresh cilantro, and, if desired, garnish with avocado slices and salsa. Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

You can customize the recipe by trying different types of cheese or adding spicy jalapeños for an extra kick.
This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 days before baking.
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free pasta and check all canned ingredients to ensure they don’t include gluten additives.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 960mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 37g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 29g
Cholesterol: 85mg