Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole with Ritz Cracker Topping Recipe
This comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole is a creamy and cheesy baked dish combining tender diced chicken, savory cream of chicken soup, sautéed onions, peas and carrots, and hearty egg noodles, all topped with a buttery, crunchy Ritz cracker crumb crust. Perfect for a family dinner, it bakes until golden and bubbly, delivering a satisfying homestyle meal with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken
- 1/2 yellow onion, diced
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 3/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or a blend)
- 2 cups frozen peas and carrots
- 12 oz egg noodles, cooked and drained
Topping
- 25 Ritz crackers (about 1 cup crumbs)
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced cooked chicken, diced onion, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise, shredded cheese, and frozen peas and carrots. Stir the mixture well until it is creamy and evenly blended.
- Incorporate noodles: Gently fold the cooked and drained egg noodles into the creamy mixture. Take care not to break the noodles to maintain texture in the casserole.
- Transfer to casserole dish: Pour and spread the combined mixture evenly in the bottom of a greased casserole dish to create a uniform layer.
- Prepare crumb topping: Using a blender or food processor, crush the Ritz crackers into fine crumbs. Sprinkle the cracker crumbs evenly over the casserole filling. Drizzle the melted butter over the crumbs to help them brown and become crispy during baking.
- Bake the casserole: Place the casserole in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and crispy, and the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges.
- Rest before serving: Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 15 minutes. This helps it set and makes serving easier.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream of chicken soup with cream of mushroom or cream of celery for a different flavor.
- If you prefer extra cheesy casseroles, add an additional 1/2 cup of shredded cheese on top before adding the cracker crumbs.
- Use freshly cooked egg noodles rather than instant to avoid mushiness.
- Try mixing in herbs like parsley or thyme for added freshness.
- The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Keywords: Chicken casserole, chicken noodle casserole, baked chicken and noodles, creamy chicken casserole, comfort food
