Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake
If you grew up in the South or ever went to a Southern-style potluck, you know how great casseroles are because they combine creamy, cheesy, and savory flavors in one bubbling dish. This Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake is like a warm hug of flavor. It has tender shredded chicken, rich cream cheese sauce, lots of melted cheddar, and smoky bacon on top. It’s easy, heartfelt, and very reassuring.
This recipe will quickly become one of your favorites. It’s great for serving a lot of people, making a dinner ahead of time, or just putting something warm in the oven on a Sunday afternoon.
What is a Southern spaghetti bake with cream?
This meal takes classic baked spaghetti and adds a Southern twist by replacing the red sauce with a creamy, cheesy, ranch-seasoned foundation. It tastes like a mix of chicken tetrazzini and mac & cheese, but with spaghetti noodles, crunchy bacon, and a lot of cheddar and cream cheese.
The end product is soft pasta covered in a creamy, slightly sour sauce that melts in your mouth. There are also crunchy pieces of bacon on top for texture and flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Southern Spaghetti Casserole
- The best kind of comfort food
We’re talking about layers that are thick, creamy, and cheesy, all cooked to a golden brown. - Family-friendly and good for crowds
Children love it. People over 18 love it. It’s potluck gold. - Good for leftovers
It warms up perfectly, so it’s great for lunch the next day. - Simple to get ready ahead of time
Put it together, put it in the fridge, and bake it when you’re ready. - Every bite has a little bit of southern spirit in it.
That creamy ranch-chicken-cheese mix is famous down here, and for good reason!
How It Tastes
Picture forkfuls of creamy spaghetti mixed with shredded chicken and a mix of melted cheeses, all with the tang of ranch and the salty crunch of bacon. The top layer grows golden and frothy, while the inside stays very creamy and delicious.
Every bite gives you warmth, flavor, and the feeling that you can’t stop eating it.
What goes into it
- 12 ounces of spaghetti
- Two cups of shredded chicken that has been cooked
- 1 block of cream cheese (8 oz), softened
- 1 can (10.5 oz) of cream of chicken soup
- One cup of sour cream
- 1 packet of ranch seasoning mix (1 ounce)
- 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (separated)
- ½ cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 pieces of bacon that have been cooked and crumbled
- 2 tablespoons of chopped parsley (optional for decoration)
Things You Will Need
- A big pot and a mixing bowl
- 9 by 13-inch baking dish
- Whisk or combine by hand
- Foil (to cover during baking)
Changing and adding ingredients
- For a meatless variation, leave out the chicken and use turkey or ham instead.
- Use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a little more flavor in the cream base.
- Cheddar cheese works best, but Monterey jack or Colby cheese are also good.
- Extras: For heat, add cooked spinach, mushrooms, or a sprinkling of red pepper flakes.
How to Prepare Creamy Southern Spaghetti Bake
1. Make the pasta
Boil the pasta until it’s just right. Get rid of the water and put it aside.
2. Make the sauce that is creamy
In a big mixing bowl, whisk together the softened cream cheese, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, and black pepper. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3. Put everything together
Put the cooked chicken, 1½ cups of cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese in the bowl. Add the drained spaghetti and mix it in until it is uniformly coated.
4. Put the Bake together
Put the mixture in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. On top, add the rest of the ½ cup of cheddar and the fried bacon.
5. Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes at 350°F (175°C). Take off the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is brown and bubbling.
6. Let it rest and serve.
Before cutting, let the dish sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Add chopped parsley on top and serve hot.
What to Serve With It
- A fresh salad with ranch dressing on the side
- Green beans from the South
- Cornbread muffins or garlic toast
- You can have sweet tea or lemonade on the side.
How to Make the Best Southern Spaghetti Casserole
- For the finest melt and texture, shred your own cheese.
- A quick way to go about is to use rotisserie chicken.
- Don’t cook your pasta too long; it will keep cooking in the oven.
- To avoid it from drying out, cover it with foil for most of the time it is baking.
How to Keep and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to four days.
Freezer: You can freeze baked or unbaked casserole for up to two months.
To reheat, microwave individual servings or cover and cook in the oven at 325°F.
Questions and Answers
Can I make this before?
Yes! Put everything together, cover it tightly, and put it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
Can I use different shapes of pasta?
For sure! You can use penne, rotini, or linguine; just cook them until they are al dente.
Is it hot?
Nope, it’s really kid-friendly. You can add red pepper flakes or jalapeños to give it a spice, though.
Is it okay to use canned chicken?
You can, but chicken that has been roasted or rotisserie-style tastes better.
Nutrition Information (About per serving)
- 560 calories
- 31 grams of protein
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- 34 grams of fat
- 2g of fiber
- 860mg of sodium