Description
Comfort meets elegance in this chicken cordon bleu casserole, combining classic French-inspired flavors with hearty American cooking. Creamy layers of tender chicken, savory ham, and melted Swiss cheese create a mouthwatering dish you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 1 lb pasta (penne or any fun-shaped pasta)
- 1 cup cooked and cubed chicken breasts
- 1 cup cooked and cubed ham
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons dried minced onion
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (to taste)
- cayenne pepper (to taste)
Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup Panko crumbs
- ½ cup melted butter (divided)
Instructions
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, approximately 11 minutes. Drain thoroughly and return to the original pot.
- Gently fold cubed chicken and ham into the cooked pasta, ensuring even distribution of proteins throughout the dish.
- Prepare a creamy sauce by whisking milk, cream cheese, and minced onion in a saucepan over gentle heat. Stir continuously until the mixture transforms into a smooth, velvety consistency.
- Pour the luxurious sauce over the pasta and protein mixture, coating every morsel. Incorporate Swiss cheese, then season with salt, pepper, and a hint of cayenne for subtle warmth.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a prepared baking dish, creating an even layer of the casserole.
- Generously sprinkle Panko breadcrumbs across the surface, then drizzle melted butter to enhance golden crispiness.
- Position the casserole under the broiler, monitoring closely for 3-4 minutes until the topping becomes a beautiful golden brown. The breadcrumbs should transform into a crunchy, appetizing crust without burning.
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest momentarily before serving this comforting, cheesy casserole while piping hot.
Notes
- Transform classic Chicken Cordon Bleu into an easy, comforting casserole that brings restaurant-style flavors directly to your dinner table.
- Perfectly balances creamy Swiss cheese sauce with crispy Panko breadcrumb topping for a delightful textural experience.
- Quick one-pan meal that combines tender pasta, protein-packed chicken and ham, creating a satisfying dinner in under 30 minutes.
- Customize heat levels by adjusting cayenne pepper, making it friendly for mild and spicy taste preferences.
- Broiling technique ensures a golden, crunchy topping that elevates the entire dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
- Ideal for meal prep, this casserole reheats beautifully and can be made ahead for busy weeknight dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 593
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 682 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 20 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 108 mg