Description
Monterey chicken spaghetti delivers a mouthwatering fusion of creamy pasta and tender chicken. Cheese and spices blend seamlessly to create a comforting meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups chicken, shredded
- 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 12 oz (340 g) spaghetti
- 2 cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cups milk (or half-and-half)
- 2 tbsps olive oil or butter
- 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsps chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Pasta Preparation: Submerge spaghetti in salted boiling water, cooking until al dente. Drain completely and reserve for subsequent assembly.
- Sauce Foundation: Heat olive oil in a large skillet, sautéing onions until translucent. Incorporate garlic and create a roux by sprinkling flour, stirring continuously to prevent burning.
- Sauce Development: Slowly introduce milk, whisking meticulously to eliminate potential lumps. Simmer until the mixture thickens, creating a creamy base.
- Cheese Integration: Reduce heat and blend Monterey Jack and Parmesan cheeses into the sauce, achieving a silky consistency. Enhance with smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper to amplify flavor profile.
- Ingredient Fusion: Merge shredded chicken, crispy bacon, and prepared spaghetti with the cheese sauce, ensuring complete and even coating of all components.
- Baking Preparation: Transfer the combined mixture into a well-greased baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle remaining cheese across the surface to create an appealing golden crust.
- Culinary Transformation: Roast in a preheated 375°F oven for 20-25 minutes, allowing the casserole to meld and cheese to melt beautifully. Optional: Activate broiler for 1-2 minutes to achieve a perfectly caramelized topping.
- Serving Finale: Rest the dish briefly, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve while piping hot, radiating irresistible aroma and flavor.
Notes
- Optimize Pasta Texture: Cook spaghetti al dente to prevent mushiness when baking, ensuring a perfect bite and preventing pasta from becoming overly soft during the final cooking stage.
- Prevent Sauce Separation: Whisk milk slowly and consistently to create a smooth roux, avoiding lumps and ensuring a creamy, velvety sauce that coats ingredients evenly.
- Bacon Crispness Technique: Cook bacon separately until extra crispy, then crumble to maintain texture and prevent sogginess when mixed into the casserole.
- Cheese Melting Mastery: Use freshly grated cheese for optimal melting and avoid pre-shredded varieties, which contain anti-caking agents that can impact sauce smoothness and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 53 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg