Ranch Pizza Casserole
A hearty Ranch Pizza Casserole layered with bow tie pasta, chicken, bacon, Alfredo sauce, ranch seasoning, tomatoes, and cheese, baked until golden and bubbly.
8 Servings
Ingredients
Protein and Vegetables:
- 1 pound bacon
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs diced
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix plus 1 teaspoon for sauce
- 1 bell pepper diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 3 Roma tomatoes diced
Pasta and Sauce:
- 1 pound bow tie pasta cooked al dente
- 2 jars Alfredo sauce 16 ounces each
- ⅓ cup evaporated milk or regular milk
- Cheese:
- 4 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
For Assembly:
- Nonstick spray or butter for greasing the casserole dish
Instructions
Prepare the Pasta and Bacon:
- Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove and chop into small pieces. Reserve 1–2 tablespoons of the rendered bacon grease.
Cook the Chicken and Vegetables:
- Toss the diced chicken with 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix. In the reserved bacon grease, sauté the chicken with the minced garlic and diced bell pepper until the chicken is fully cooked and no longer pink. Drain excess liquid, leaving the chicken and peppers in the pan.
Prepare the Sauce:
- To the chicken and pepper mixture, add 1 jar of Alfredo sauce, the evaporated milk, and 1 teaspoon ranch dressing mix. Stir until well combined and heated through.
Assemble the Casserole:
- Grease a large casserole dish. Spread half a jar of Alfredo sauce on the bottom. Layer pasta, sauce, diced tomatoes, cheese, and bacon. Repeat the layers two additional times.
Finish with Toppings:
- Pour the remaining Alfredo sauce over the final layer, then top generously with the rest of the cheese and bacon.
Bake the Casserole:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling. Allow the casserole to cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
To make Ranch Pizza Casserole gluten-free, substitute the bow tie pasta with a certified gluten-free pasta. Confirm that the Alfredo sauce, ranch dressing mix, and shredded cheese are labeled gluten-free, as some packaged products may contain additives derived from wheat.