Pantry Chicken Casserole

Using pantry items plus a couple of fresh items, you can create a cheesy, comforting casserole your whole family will love. Though it includes RO*TEL and a can of mild green chile peppers, it's not spicy; if you like the heat, choose hot RO*TEL and peppers. This pantry chicken casserole reheats well, too, but I had to hide it, or there would have been no night #2! A crusty bread and a green salad complete this easy pantry meal.

• Preparation Time: 15 mins
• Cooking Time: 40 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 502 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (16 ounce) package penne pasta
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms
• cooking spray
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes and green chiles (such as RO*TEL®), undrained
• 1 green bell pepper - stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped
• 2 (8 ounce) packages processed cheese food (such as Velveeta®), cubed
• 1 (4 ounce) can mild chopped green chile peppers
• 4 cups cooked chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a large casserole dish with cooking spray.

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Bake in the preheated oven until heated through, about 20 minutes. Serve warm.

Step 4

While pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add mushrooms and cook until their liquid is released, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 5

Stir in processed cheese food, diced tomatoes with juice, diced tomatoes and green chiles with juice, and mild chile peppers. Cook and stir until cheese has melted, 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in cooked pasta and chicken. Pour into the prepared baking dish.