Velveeta Chicken Spaghetti
Delicious A good company dish Everyone always seems to enjoy this dish and I usually get asked for the recipe
Delicious A good company dish Everyone always seems to enjoy this dish and I usually get asked for the recipe
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 medium onion diced
- 1/2 cup bell pepper diced
- 1/2 cup oleo or olive oil
- 2 12-oz cans chicken broth more or less to taste
- 1 12-oz can cream of chicken soup can of
- 1 12-oz can cream of mushroom soup can of
- 3 cups diced cooked chicken can of
- 1 16-oz can rotel tomatoes can of
- 1 pound thin spaghetti cooked in; chicken broth
- 1/2 pound velveeta cheese sliced; more or less to taste
- 1 12-oz can mushrooms with juice, optional
- 1 12-oz can black pitted olives optional
- Carbohydrate 56.04185 g
- Cholesterol 79.065 mg
- Fat 37.3238125 g
- Fiber 4.89550008773804 g
- Protein 34.2645375 g
- Saturated Fat 10.856345 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (473g)
- Sodium 1321.87525 mg
- Sugar 51.146349912262 g
- Trans Fat 3.2138075 g
- Calories 694 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large skillet or cooking pot, saute bell pepper and onion in oleo (or olive oil if you prefer).
- Add 1 can of chicken broth and chicken. Simmer until tender. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces as it's cooking. Use 3 cups of chicken. (I've used packaged chicken tenderloins, as well as pre-cooked chicken from the deli. Whatever is convenient. It's all good.)
- Add all soups and Ro-tel tomatoes. Stir well. Simmer for about 15 minutes until chicken is done.
- Cook the spaghetti in boiling water or chicken broth until just slightly cooked "al dente" - you don't want to over-cook it because it will be cooking more in the oven. Drain, rinse, and set aside until you are ready to mix with chicken/sauce ingredients in baking dish for the oven.
- In a large baking dish or oven-proof pot, place the cooked and cut up chicken, cooked spaghetti, salt and pepper, cheese, and soup mixture.
- Depending on how creamy you like this dish, you may want to add extra chicken broth before you bake. (I always do).
- Stir very well to mix all ingredients evenly. I usually stir once after about 15 minutes in the oven - after the cheese has had time to melt. Bake at 375 degrees for 30 minutes.
- You can add canned or fresh mushrooms if you like.
- Also, for a nice touch - (looks pretty for guests) you can add one can of black olives, sprinkled over the top of the casserole. (optional). (I slice them to make them go further).
- Please note that if you want to cut the fat from your diet, this tastes equally good with fat-free soups and the "lite" velveeta. You can also leave out the olive oil or oleo and spray the pan with pam and add extra fat-free chicken broth.
- A good company dish. Everyone always seems to enjoy this dish and I usually get asked for the recipe.
My Go-To Comfort Food: Velveeta Chicken Spaghetti
As a busy working mom, time is always of the essence. Weeknights are a blur of homework, carpools, and the ever-present question: "What's for dinner?" I need recipes that are quick, easy, and, most importantly, crowd-pleasing. This Velveeta Chicken Spaghetti recipe has become a staple in our home, a comforting classic that always satisfies, no matter how hectic the day has been. The beauty of this dish lies in its versatility. It's easily adaptable to what I have on hand. Sometimes I use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken for ultimate convenience, other times I'll use leftover chicken from a previous meal. The key is to make it work with your schedule, without sacrificing taste.
The first time I made this was for a potluck at my work. I was nervous, bringing a dish to a group of people I didn’t know well. But the moment I set down the casserole dish, the aroma alone started drawing people in. Then the first bites started happening. Everyone raved about how creamy and flavorful it was. I received countless compliments and requests for the recipe. I was surprised, because honestly I just threw it together from a mix of recipes I'd collected. I felt so proud having created something that so many enjoyed. Since then it’s become a regular fixture at family gatherings, potlucks, and even just a simple weeknight meal. It's the kind of dish that brings people together, sparking conversation and sharing smiles around the table. The simple comfort of this dish, the warmth it brings, and the ease with which it’s made make it more than just food – it’s an experience.
The ingredients are simple, easily sourced from your local grocery store, and the method is straightforward, even for a novice cook. What could be better than that? The richness of the velveeta cheese blends beautifully with the savory chicken and creamy soups, creating a flavor profile that's both decadent and satisfying. The pasta perfectly absorbs the creamy sauce, providing a delightful textural contrast. The addition of rotel diced tomatoes provides a little bit of spice, a hint of heat to cut through the richness. The recipe also allows for creative additions. Sometimes I'll add mushrooms or black olives for extra depth of flavor and visual appeal. A sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving adds a pop of color and freshness.
This isn’t just a recipe; it's a memory maker. It’s a dish that’s brought joy and satisfaction to my family and friends countless times, it's a dish I’m proud to share with others. I love seeing their faces light up when they taste it, knowing that I played a part in creating that moment of happiness. It's more than just food; it’s about connection, community, and the simple pleasure of sharing a delicious meal together. Try it out, and I’m sure it'll become one of your family's go-to comfort foods, too.
Tips and Variations:
- For a lighter version, use low-fat or fat-free versions of the soups and cheese.
- Add different vegetables such as zucchini, carrots, or spinach.
- Spice it up with some chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use different types of pasta, such as penne or rotini.
- Make it ahead of time and bake it later for ultimate convenience.
This Velveeta Chicken Spaghetti is not just a recipe; it's an experience. It’s a taste of home, a reminder of simpler times, a warm hug in a bowl. Make it, share it, and cherish the memories you create around this timeless comfort food.
