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Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese

Name: Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 60 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Yield: 8 servings.
Ingredients: 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni; 3 tablespoons butter; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 1 cup 2% milk; 1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese; 3/4 cup ranch salad dressing; 1 cup coarsely chopped cooked chicken; TOPPING:; 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons butter, melted; 10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

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Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 30 min.

Makes

8 servings

Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida

Ingredients

3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 cup 2% milk
1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded Swiss cheese
3/4 cup ranch salad dressing
1 cup coarsely chopped cooked chicken
TOPPING:
1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
10 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. In a 6-qt. stockpot, cook macaroni according to package directions for al dente; drain and return to pot.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until smooth; gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir until thickened, 1-2 minutes. Stir in cheeses until blended. Stir in dressing.
Add chicken and sauce to macaroni, tossing to combine. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish.
Toss bread crumbs with melted butter; sprinkle over macaroni. Top with bacon. Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Sprinkle with parsley.

Can you freeze Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese?

Prepare recipe as directed, increasing milk to 1-1/3 cups. Cool unbaked casserole; cover and freeze. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Preheat oven to 350°. Cover casserole with foil; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; continue baking as directed or until heated through and a thermometer inserted in center reads 165°.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 586 calories, 37g fat (15g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.

Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

Directions

Can you freeze Chicken Ranch Mac & Cheese?

Nutrition Facts

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