Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (Printable Version)

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1/2 lb bacon, cooked and chopped
02 - 1 lb boneless/skinless chicken, diced

→ Pasta

03 - 8 oz pasta shells (or preferred variety)

→ Seasonings

04 - 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix
05 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
06 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Sauce & Cheese

07 - 14.5 oz Alfredo sauce
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
09 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9 × 9 inch baking dish.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy, about 7 minutes. Drain bacon grease from skillet and place bacon on paper towel to absorb remaining grease.
03 - In a gallon-sized zip-top bag, combine the olive oil, raw diced chicken, and Ranch dressing mix. Seal bag and shake thoroughly to coat chicken evenly.
04 - Add seasoned chicken to the skillet and cook until no longer pink and fully cooked through.
05 - In a pot of boiling water, cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain water completely.
06 - Add cooked pasta to the greased baking dish. Layer cooked chicken and Alfredo sauce over the pasta, mixing gently to combine.
07 - Sprinkle both cheeses evenly over the top, followed by the crumbled bacon. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
08 - Place dish into preheated oven and bake until bubbly and cheese is completely melted, about 15 minutes.
09 - Remove from oven and allow to rest for 2-3 minutes before serving hot.

# Handy Tips:

01 - This casserole can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated until ready to bake. Simply add 5-10 minutes to the baking time if cooking from refrigerated.