Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
There’s a reason Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole has stood the test of time: it’s comforting, creamy, and absolutely loaded with homestyle flavor. Think tender chicken, velvety noodles, and a luscious, cheesy sauce all bubbling together under a golden, buttery cracker crust. It’s the kind of dish that instantly sparks warm memories and brings everyone to the table with big smiles. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or craving something classic, Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole is honestly the hug-in-a-baking-dish everyone needs.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This lineup might look humble, but every single ingredient plays a unique part in what makes Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole so crave-worthy. From the creamy base to the savory chicken and the irresistible crunchy topping, nothing’s here by accident—let’s walk through the essentials:
- Medium Egg Noodles: These classic noodles soak up the sauce and provide that signature chewy-springy bite.
- Whole Rotisserie Chicken: Go for the shortcut! Tender, flavorful, and pre-cooked chicken saves tons of time while boosting taste.
- Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup: The creamy backbone of the dish, it gives richness without overpowering the chicken.
- Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup: Adds depth and earthiness, making the sauce extra luscious and complex.
- Sour Cream: A dollop of tangy sour cream keeps the filling light and creamy, cutting through the richness perfectly.
- Cream Cheese (room temperature): Provides extra silkiness and a subtle tang that rounds out the casserole.
- Grated Parmesan Cheese: For that irresistible cheesy, savory flavor that seeps into every bite.
- Onion Powder: Adds a mellow, background savoriness—like onions but easier!
- Garlic Powder: Punches up the flavor with garlicky goodness to tie everything together.
- Salt and Pepper (to taste): These go-to basics sharpen all the other flavors and let you make it just right for your crew.
- Ritz Crackers (crushed): For the classic golden crumble on top—slightly salty and extra buttery.
- Butter (melted): Helps bind the cracker topping and browns beautifully in the oven.
How to Make Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Give your trusty 9×13-inch pan a light spray with cooking spray—this ensures the casserole comes out easily later and the edges don’t stick. Set aside that gleaming pan; it’ll soon be holding the coziest meal you can imagine.
Step 2: Cook the Egg Noodles
Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil and cook your medium egg noodles according to the package directions. You want them tender but not mushy, since they’ll finish cooking in the oven. Drain them well and set aside—don’t let them cool too much or they may stick together.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken
Remove the skin from your rotisserie chicken and discard (unless you’re the type who can’t resist a snack). Shred or chop the chicken meat into bite-sized pieces. Rotisserie chicken is one of those secret ingredients for Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole: so juicy, so flavorful, and so easy!
Step 4: Make the Creamy Base
Grab a very large mixing bowl. Combine the cream of chicken soup, the cream of mushroom soup, softened cream cheese, sour cream, grated parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, ensuring no clumps remain—this is what will coat (and flavor) every noodle!
Step 5: Combine Noodles and Chicken
To the creamy bowl of goodness, add in your cooked noodles and those juicy chicken pieces. Gently fold everything together, making sure the sauce evenly covers every morsel—this is the moment when Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole truly comes together.
Step 6: Spread into the Baking Dish
Scoop the mixture into your prepared 9×13-inch pan, smoothing it out so the top is level. Every scoop promises perfect bites of chicken, noodle, and creamy sauce, so don’t forget to scrape the bowl clean!
Step 7: Make the Ritz Cracker Topping
In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers and the melted butter. Stir until the crackers have soaked up the butter and look a little like sandy, golden magic. Sprinkle this evenly over the entire casserole for that iconic crunchy finish.
Step 8: Bake Until Bubbly
Pop your casserole, uncovered, into the oven. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the filling is bubbly and the cracker top is beautifully golden. The aroma will fill your kitchen with pure nostalgia—go ahead and steal a peek in the last minutes for that perfect, golden-brown crust!
How to Serve Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole
Garnishes
Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or chives over the finished casserole just before serving for a pop of color and a little hint of freshness. A dash of extra parmesan or even a pinch of crushed red pepper is welcome for those who crave a little zing!
Side Dishes
Serve Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole alongside roasted green beans, a crisp salad, or simple steamed broccoli for a balanced plate. If you want to double up on comfort, fluffy dinner rolls or buttered peas are great classic companions, mopping up that creamy sauce with real enthusiasm.
Creative Ways to Present
Sometimes it’s fun to portion this casserole into ramekins or oven-safe bowls for individual servings—kids and adults alike love getting their own. For a dinner party spin, you can serve it with a drizzle of garlic-infused olive oil, or even layer some sautéed mushrooms or spinach under the cracker topping for extra flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (and that’s a big if), store cooled Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors almost deepen overnight, making it a fabulous next-day lunch or quick dinner.
Freezing
This casserole freezes beautifully! Assemble everything right up to the buttery cracker topping, then wrap tightly in foil and plastic wrap. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, just thaw overnight in the fridge, add the topping, and bake as usual.
Reheating
To reheat, cut individual squares and warm them in the microwave until steaming. For the best texture (especially that cracker crust!), reheat leftovers in a covered dish in the oven at 350ºF until heated through—about 20 minutes should do the trick.
FAQs
Can I use another type of noodle?
Absolutely! While egg noodles deliver that classic texture for Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole, you can swap for rotini, penne, or even gluten-free pasta if that’s your preference. Just adjust cook time as needed and make sure to drain well.
What can I substitute for Ritz crackers?
If you’re out of Ritz crackers, try using crushed saltines, buttery club crackers, or even panko breadcrumbs tossed with a bit of melted butter for the same crispy, golden effect on top.
Can I add vegetables to the casserole?
Definitely! Fold in peas, diced carrots, sautéed mushrooms, or even spinach for some extra color and nutrition. Just make sure the veggies are pre-cooked or thawed if using frozen to keep everything tender.
Is it possible to make Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole ahead of time?
Yes! Prepare the casserole up to a day ahead and refrigerate it, covered. Add the cracker topping just before baking to keep it crisp, then bake as directed when you’re ready.
Can I use homemade chicken instead of rotisserie?
Of course! If you have leftover roasted, poached, or grilled chicken, simply shred or chop it and use it in place of the rotisserie. The beauty of Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole is how flexible and forgiving it is—you make it your own!
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about the first scoop of bubbling Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole coming hot from the oven. It’s hearty, wildly comforting, and sure to spark some delicious memories or start new ones around your table. If you haven’t tried this classic lately, now’s the time—the warmth and joy it brings is something everyone deserves!
Print
Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Old School Chicken Noodle Casserole is a comforting and classic dish that combines tender egg noodles, creamy sauces, flavorful rotisserie chicken, and a crunchy buttery topping. This easy-to-make casserole is perfect for a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 (16-oz) package medium egg noodles
- 1 whole rotisserie chicken
Sauce Mixture:
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 (10.5-oz) can Unsalted Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1½ cups sour cream
- 1 (8-oz) cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1½ tsp onion powder
- 1 Tbsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping:
- 1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
- ¼ cup butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350ºF and lightly spray a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
- Cook Noodles: Cook the egg noodles according to package directions, drain, and set aside.
- Prepare Chicken: Remove the skin from the rotisserie chicken, discard it, and then chop the chicken meat.
- Make Sauce: In a large bowl, mix the cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked noodles and chopped chicken to the sauce mixture, and mix well.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Add Topping: In a small bowl, combine the crushed Ritz crackers and melted butter. Sprinkle this topping over the casserole.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, or until bubbly.
Notes
- This casserole can be customized with your favorite vegetables like peas, carrots, or broccoli.
- Feel free to add extra seasonings such as paprika or thyme for more flavor.
- For a crispy topping, broil the casserole for the last few minutes of baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Chicken Noodle Casserole, Comfort Food, Casserole Recipe
