This classic southern casserole has been a favorite for decades - mostly because it's easy to make and full of cheesy goodness!
Next time try this other easy family favorite, King Ranch Chicken Casserole! Serve either of these weeknight dinner casseroles with a batch of homemade garlic breadsticks!
Table of Contents
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Takes just 30 minutes but you can also assemble ahead of time.
- We love this for busy weeknights and back to school.
- Leftovers are easy to warm up and it freezes like a charm - be sure to read through the freezing instructions in the storage section.
Gooey cheesy pasta, with tender chicken and plenty of Ro-Tel tomatoes with chiles for flavor- it's a great recipe the whole family will love.
Hearty cowboy spaghetti is another one of our favorites!
This simple casserole recipe uses cream of chicken soup and a frozen onion and green peppers mix to save time. The diced tomatoes and chiles give it a spicy kick!
My cheesy chicken spaghetti is one of the family's favorite recipes - I hope you love it as much as we do!
🧾 Ingredients
📖 Variations
Chicken spaghetti with RoTel in it is my favorite but this is a versatile dish with lots of potential variations!
- Switch to penne, macaroni, or your favorite pasta and have a delicious spicy chicken pasta bake!
- Turkey, ham, and cooked ground beef are ALL good in this versatile dinner recipe. In fact, it's a great way to use up leftover turkey after Thanksgiving!
- Stir in pimento.
- Saute some bell peppers with the onions.
- Next time try topping with breadcrumbs, crushed tortilla chips, or potato chips for a little added texture and crunch.
- If you like it spicy hot use the hot Rotel version instead of the mild Rotel.
- Boneless chicken thighs work as well as boneless chicken breasts if you prefer them.
- If you don't have cream of chicken soup you can use cream of mushroom soup, cream of celery soup, or cream of asparagus soup - they all work well. Or, make a homemade white sauce.
- You can use fresh onions and peppers instead of frozen ones - just use about ½ cup each and dice them. Be sure to saute before adding to the casserole dish.
Next time try this 15 minute cream cheese pasta recipe!
🔪 Instructions
Try it once and my easy chicken spaghetti recipe will be on your dinner rotation a lot!
- Break the uncooked spaghetti noodles into 2 inch pieces.
- Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot and cook the pasta.
- Meanwhile mix the cream of chicken, the RoTel, and cream cheese in a microwave-safe large bowl. Microwave, stirring often, until it's all melted together.
- Stir in the cheese to make a smooth sauce.
- Shred the cooked chicken and set aside.
- Add enough cream to the sauce to make it spoonable but not too thin.
- Stir in the chicken.
- Pour over the cooked spaghetti and stir well.
- Spoon into an oiled casserole dish and top with Cheddar cheese. Bake.
🎥 Video
Lynn says: "I've been making Chicken Spaghetti for years but this really took it up a notch. Will be using this recipe from now on!"
Casserole times and temps
Need to bake your chicken spaghetti casserole at a different temperature than called for in the recipe? No problem!
These times are only an estimate. Be sure to check your casserole often. It's done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165F when stuck in the middle of the casserole.
| Temperature | Time | Time From Frozen |
| 300F | 40 -45 minutes | 1 hour 20 minutes (cover with foil) |
| 325F | 30-35 minutes | 1 hour (cover with foil) |
| 350F | 20-25 minutes | 40 - 45 minutes |
| 375F | 15-20 minutes | 35 minutes |
| 400F | 15 minutes | 40 minutes (cover with foil) |
🥫 Storage
You can assemble chicken spaghetti up to 2 days ahead of time, cover it with plastic wrap, refrigerate it, and then slip into the oven when you're ready to eat it. (Take the plastic wrap off before baking.)
Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator.
To reheat just pop into a 350F oven for about 15 -20 minutes, or microwave until warmed through.
How to freeze
Chicken spaghetti freezes like a charm baked or unbaked!!
Cool to room temperature. Cover it with plastic wrap then aluminum foil or put it in a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.
To bake:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then bake as directed. See the chart above for baking from frozen.
To warm up leftovers:
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then heat in the microwave or bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes.
💭 Things to know
Expert Tip: Cook your chicken by simmering it in chicken stock to cover. When it's cooked through (165F) remove it and bring the stock back to a boil. Add the spaghetti to the chicken stock with enough water to cover. This gives your casserole even more flavor!
Restless Chipotle chicken spaghetti casserole is a little different from the bland recipes you often see.
The tomatoes and chiles add a sharp, mildly spicy flavor that cuts the richness of the cheese and creamy sauce and balances it out nicely.
- You can assemble this up to 3 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until you're ready to bake it.
- Chicken spaghetti with Rotel is freezer-friendly. It freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Put plastic wrap, parchment paper, or waxed paper over the top before sealing with aluminum foil or the acids from the tomatoes will react with the aluminum and it will taste awful.
- I've made this low carb and keto by using zucchini noodles instead of pasta. Still yummy!
- This is a great way to use leftover chicken!
- Break the spaghetti up in 2 to 3 inch pieces before cooking - it's traditional!
- For best results cook pasta just past done - don't stop at al dente. It will cook more (and soak up more flavor) as it bakes.
- You can use sour cream instead of cream cheese for a lighter, yet still creamy, sauce.
- Some people like to use half or all Velveeta cheese in the sauce instead of the shredded Cheddar.
- Shred the cheese from a block - don't buy pre-shredded. It is dusted with cellulose and doesn't melt as creamy as block cheese.
- Save time by using leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken from the store. You've gotta love planned leftovers - it's almost like a free meal!
- You can skip the baking and just mix it all up in a skillet if you like.
- Use one of the Rotel tomatoes variations like fire roasted or extra hot and spicy!
- Try this cream cheese chicken spaghetti if you want a super rich and creamy casserole - but it's going to cost you extra time on the treadmill.
👩🏻🍳 FAQs
Here are the questions I am most frequently asked about this creamy chicken recipe.
Yes! You can put it all together in your casserole dish then put plastic wrap, parchment, or waxed paper over the top before sealing with aluminum foil (or the acids from the tomatoes will react with the aluminum and it will taste awful).
Freeze it for up to 3 months. The night before you want to serve it you'll put it in the refrigerator to thaw, then bake as directed in the recipe.
You really only need a salad but these easy drop biscuits are nice, too. If you'd like a hot vegetable then I'd go with green beans. Find more great ideas in 50 Sides for Chicken Spaghetti.
Yes! Assemble this casserole ahead of time and bake when ready or bake it ahead of time and simply warm it up. It's just so easy to get along with!
As far as I know every southern lady that I've ever met that makes this dish breaks up the spaghetti in thirds before adding it to the boiling water. You don't have to - I think it's tradition. It does make it easier to eat, though.
No you don't need to cover the casserole during baking unless you notice the top browning too fast.
What’s new? Check out my Restless Chipotle & Co. Store on Amazon where you'll find all kinds of nostalgic goodness! Thanks so much for being a part of Restless Chipotle!
📚 Related recipes
This angel chicken mac and cheese or Chicken Frito Pie casserole are also great recipes for bringing to someone or to take to a potluck.
- Taco Spaghetti is creamy good and all done in one pot.
- Copycat Panera Chicken Tortellini Alfredo is another one pot meal.
- Million Dollar Spaghetti is something like lasagna only so much easier!
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Bake is just so deliciously family friendly!
- Crack Chicken Spaghetti is an over the top version of this old favorite!
- This Tuna Casserole recipe has a crunchy, salty potato chip topping.
Here are more great chicken recipes.
- Broccoli Stuffing Casserole
- Bourbon Sweet Potato Casserole
- Pineapple Sweet Potato Casserole
- Loaded Green Bean Casserole
🍽️ Serve with...
Keep it easy by choosing a few of these great side dishes for chicken spaghetti and some classic southern fried pies for dessert.
Dinner plans solved!
📞 The last word
Mmmm.... this easy chicken spaghetti recipe is my go to when I need comfort food! Next time try this crock pot chicken spaghetti. It's even easier.
If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
If you love this recipe please give it a 5 star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖 Recipe
Southern Chicken Spaghetti with RoTel
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
- 1.5 pounds chicken breast, or more if desired - boneless, cooked and shredded
- 16 ounces spaghetti, broken in 2-inch pieces
- 21.5 ounces cream of chicken soup, 2 10.75-ounce cans condensed
- 10 ounces diced tomatoes & green chilies
- 6 ounces cream cheese
- 3 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded - divided use (12 ounces)
- ¼ cup heavy cream, you can use milk if you prefer
- 1 cup peppers and onions mixed
Instructions
- Cook the chicken breast, dice or shred it, and set aside.
- If using fresh onions and peppers saute them until soft.
- Break the spaghetti into 2-inch pieces and cook until tender in boiling, salted water.
- Drain and set aside.
- Mix the soup, RoTel, and cream cheese in a microwave safe dish.
- Heat, stirring every minute, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Stir in 2 cups of the cheese.
- Stir until smooth. You may need to add some milk or cream to thin it down if it seems too thick.
- Stir the chicken into the cheese mixture.
- Stir the pasta, onions and peppers into the chicken and cheese mixture.
- Spoon into a greased casserole dish.
- Top with remaining 1 cup cheese.
- You may stop here, cover with plastic wrap then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months or refrigerate for 2 days before baking.
- Bake at 350F 20 minutes or until heated through and the cheese has melted.
- Let stand for 5 minutes or so before serving.
Notes
- You can assemble this up to 3 days ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge until you're ready to bake it.
- This casserole freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Put plastic wrap, parchment, or waxes paper over the top before sealing with aluminum foil or the acids from the tomatoes will react with the aluminum and it will taste awful.
- Break the spaghetti up in 2 to 3 inch pieces before cooking - it's traditional!
- Cook the pasta just until done. It will cook more (and soak up more flavor) as it baked.
- You can skip the baking and just mix it all up in a skillet if you like.
- Turkey, ham, and cooked ground beef are ALL good in this versatile dinner recipe.
- Stir in pimento.
- Saute some Bell peppers with the onions.
- Top with breadcrumbs, crushed tortilla chips, or potato chips.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
✍🏻 A note from Marye...
I know y'all don't always like the stories bloggers tell so when I have one I try to put it at the very bottom so you can read or skip as you like.
🍲 Southern casserole culture
Homemade chicken spaghetti casserole is one of my favorites. It's creamy, rich, gooey, and cheesy - everything the ultimate comfort food should be.
This wasn't one of those things that my mom made, though.
This is a recipe that came from one of my neighbors when my kids were growing up -- I guess she took pity on me and my nightly dinners for 10 people or more.
A large family requires lots of food!
She brought a foil covered pan of this comforting casserole to my door one afternoon when I was SO exhausted, SO ready to quit, and SO full of "woe is me" that I was ready to bust.
It changed my entire day.
It's that simple. One dish of comfort food, one knock at the door at the right time, and someone suddenly has the energy to go on with life. Someone feels cared about.
Isn't that what makes life worth living?
I think so!
First published August 4, 2020. Last updated September 17, 2023, for editorial improvements and the temperature chart.
Peggy says
Oh yes, I’m reading this I’m whispering to myself, saying that I would put some artichoke hearts, chopped and some chopped jalapeño for some spice and maybe use a smaller pasta like a radiatore or an orrechetti. I love spicy food and spicy plus chicken, and cheesy plus creamy…I say what’s not to like? Awesome. Thanks! Plus it’s my birthday month, too!! Us Aries love food.
Kathryn Collins says
Wonderful chicken dish for the whole family some like it a little spicy and some like it mild.This recipe covers all bases. DELICIOUS
Deb Lockhart says
This has to be the best, easiest Chicken Spaghetti recipe on the internet. I like the versatility of the basic recipe, often adding meat and/or veggies, or using a different pasta. My hubby, who isn’t a big tomato sauce spaghetti fan, actually requests this. He says it’s got “flava”. Always a winner in my family and perfect for taking to a potluck, a new Mom, a sick friend, or “just because.”
Kathie says
I cannot count the number of times that I've made this recipe. Just writing about it while another snow storm is coming in makes me know I have to make it again. This has so much flavor and texture and is a wonderful dinner. Better yet, it makes a great lunch at work for the next couple of days. My family always loves when they know this is on the menu. Thank you!!
Michelle says
How do you keep your Zucchini noodles from turning mushy? I love chicken spaghetti, but need it healthier due to diabetes.
Marye says
Add them to the casserole raw.
Jody says
This was just so good! I had my doubts about it, but finally tried it and it was wonderful!
Happy Birthday month Marye!
Betty says
I would never have thought of cooking the spaghetti in the chicken broth from cooking the chicken! Thanks for that tip. I'm going to assume the diced tomatoes and green chilies are the Rotel? I know the chilies are a major point for this recipe, but we're kind of bland around here when it comes to hot peppers. Would diced tomatoes and and diced peppericini work? I would use canned diced tomatoes and dice whole peppericini from a jar. Any thoughts on if just the peppericini, or should I add them with some of the liquid in the jar? Ratio? I'm sorry for all the questions. I just want to give your recipe a try, with the taste profile I know my family prefer. Love your site!!!
Marye says
Plain diced tomatoes or diced tomatoes and chopped pepproncinni would be fine. 🙂 No need for any extra juice from the peppers.
Toby Blevins says
I love hot (lots of heat) do you think adding peppers would be good?I don’t want to ruin it!!
Marye says
Add to your own taste!
Mealnie says
I had chicken spaghetti for the first time in East Texas in the ‘80s. I had it a few times, but failed to get the recipe from other sweet little old church lady who made it. 40 years of not-quite-right, and almost-but-not-the-same when I find it here. Thank you end a life quest the very same one! Woot! The search Is over!! Thank you!!!
Becky Crocker says
Love this chicken recipe. Very cheesy. And yes comfort is wonderful.I like it best with spicy 🌶️ tomato’s. And your expert tip about cooking the chicken makes it so easy, thanks. Happy Birthday.🥳
Lynda B says
Hi Marye!
I'm on my way to the grocery store to buy cream cheese and Rotel! There is only 2 of us, but now I know what to do with the excess! I'll share it! (my husband doesn't like leftovers) Love your recipes!!
Susie A Hartley says
How can I make this so it would be low carb? Can I use Alfredo sauce for the sauce?
Marye says
You could use spiralized zucchini. That's what I used to do. I would't use alfredo because of the parmesan.
Terrie says
I'm going to make this tomorrow but I'm going to substitute my homemade salsa for the Rotel since that's what I have on hand! Tks for the recipe!
Adella Lear says
OK, Marye--as I write this, my husband and I are finishing up a huge vat of your Taco Spaghetti recipe. Delicious!!! This chicken spaghetti will be the next recipe on our pasta roll (which seems to be happening more frequently!!!).
Would using whole wheat pasta in any of your pasta recipes make it less caloric? My knees don't like to exercise!!!
I've been drooling over all of your bread recipes, too...but get so disappointed when the recipe calls for the paddle blade on a mixer. You guessed it!!! We don't have one, and newly onset hand arthritis make no-knead breads sound even better, for sure!!!
We are in the heart of the Hill Country here in Texas, and if you haven't seen the wildflowers lately, this year's abundant crop are absolutely gorgeous!!!
Love following your posts and recipes--and have shared many with my sister who only does easy and good recipes for her family. Keep up the good work!!!
Adella Lear in Marble Falls, TX
Marye says
Oh you live in one of my favorite areas! You could use whole grain pastas but it does change the texture and you really don't save calories - you do add a little fiber. You could try using healthy choice soups or reduced calorie products. Personally I only make it once in awhile and I only eat a little.
Amanda K says
The best thing regarding this recipe is all of the ingredients are staples in my kitchen, I always have these around. And not being a fan of traditional spaghetti sauce this is on repeat a couple times a month, it's THAT good.
Thanks Marye, I didn't know I can make this two days ahead of time.
Maureen says
Rotel is a main staple in southern cooking and of course Marye you had to add it to this amazing chicken spaghetti. This is a dish everyone can get into. I know because my family inhales it. I keep it on regular rotation and of course past is always a game changer. Definitely loved by all.
Marye, you have never let us down and this is just another way of grabbing our attention to another great recipe.
Thanks Restless Chipotle.
Sherri Rochester says
Every time I take one of your 'spaghetti' recipes to our Church potlucks, I have to take printed copies of the recipe, too! This one sounds amazing. I am a huge fan of creamy sauces. My hubby loves Tex-Mex food more than any other option. I am happy that you included other protein options for this recipe . Pitluck is next Sunday. Guess what I am taking???
Linda Fox says
I've had chicken spaghetti before but this recipe is the best.i like the Rotel it gives just the right amount of spice
Michelle Gosser says
The first time I tried chicken spaghetti was at a church potluck, it was so good! But I was unable to get a good recipe for it. I remember the first time I seen this in an email from you, and my first thought was finally! I immediately made plans to make it the following day, so easy and so good, even better than the one from the potluck! Best of all? Even my son the (picky eater), couldn't get enough it!!
Sue Turcsany says
I usually make this when I have store bought rotisserie chickens because it's easy to assemble. I can make it earlier in the day or even the day before and just reheat. The next time we have a spur of the moment family get together with my children, spouses, grandkids I am going to triple the recipe (but I am going to buy a few store bought rotisserie chickens and shred the white meat) so I don't have to do much preparation. I'll have a lot of dark meat left so maybe I'll use it to make a family sized chicken potpie (using ready made piecrust and frozen vegetables to bring along as well.