Creamy Alfredo, smoky bacon, tender chicken, and zesty ranch come together in this irresistible, cheesy comfort food masterpiece!
✨ Why This Dish Shines
✔ Ready in 30 minutes – Quick weeknight dinner solution
✔ Crowd-pleasing flavor – Kids and adults love it
✔ Meal prep friendly – Reheats beautifully for leftovers
✔ Customizable – Swap proteins or add veggies
📋 Ingredients
Serves 6-8
Main Components
- 16 oz penne pasta (or rigatoni/farfalle)
- 1.25 lbs chicken breast, cubed
- 1 lb bacon, cooked & crumbled
- 1 jar (15 oz) Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 8 oz mozzarella, shredded
Flavor Boosters (optional)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Prep & Cook
- Cook pasta al dente (reserve ½ cup pasta water). Drain.
- Sauté chicken in bacon grease (or 1 tbsp oil) until golden. Season with salt/pepper.
- Cook bacon until crisp, then crumble.
2️⃣ Mix It Up
In a large bowl, combine:
- Cooked pasta
- Alfredo sauce + ranch dressing
- Chicken + bacon
- Optional: Garlic powder, paprika
(Add pasta water 1 tbsp at a time if too thick)
3️⃣ Bake to Perfection
- Transfer to greased 9×13″ dish.
- Top with mozzarella + Parmesan.
- Bake at 350°F for 15 mins, then broil 2-3 mins until golden.
4️⃣ Serve & Enjoy!
🍽 Garnish with:
- Fresh parsley
- Extra ranch drizzle
- Red pepper flakes
💡 Pro Tips
- Crispier bacon: Bake at 400°F for 18-20 mins instead of frying
- Extra creamy: Stir in ½ cup sour cream with sauces
- Lighter version: Use Greek yogurt ranch + low-fat Alfredo
🔄 Delicious Variations
- Buffalo Style: Add ¼ cup hot sauce + blue cheese crumbles
- Veggie-Packed: Mix in spinach, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes
- Tex-Mex Twist: Swap ranch for taco seasoning + top with jalapeños
❄️ Storage Tips
- Fridge: 3-4 days in airtight container
- Freeze: Before baking (thaw overnight, then bake as directed)
- Reheat: 350°F oven for 20 mins (add splash of milk if dry)
Nutrition per serving: 580 kcal | 38g protein | 42g carbs
“The ultimate comfort food that disappears fast!” 😋
Tried it? Share your photos and tag us! #ComfortFoodWin
