Chicken Noodle Casserole
This is a fast and tasty casserole very similar to one my aunt made when I was young. If you want to try the Vegannaise, it is hard to find but try Whole Foods. It has the same richness as Hellman's mayo but is better for you.
This is a fast and tasty casserole very similar to one my aunt made when I was young. If you want to try the Vegannaise, it is hard to find but try Whole Foods. It has the same richness as Hellman's mayo but is better for you.
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 10.75 oz can 98% fat free condensed cream of chicken 98% fat free condensed cream of chicken
- soup undilluted
- 1/2 cup mayonnaisse like veganaisse or light
- hellmans hellmans
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice lemon juice
- 2 cups chicken cubed
- 1/4 cup red pepper chopped
- 1/4 cup yellow or orange pepper chopped
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese 2% milk shredded
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese 2% milk shredded
- 12 ounces medium 100% whole wheat noodles cooked and drained
- 2 tablespoons light butter melted
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs panko bread crumbs
- Carbohydrate 28.3206791673686 g
- Cholesterol 101.181666666667 mg
- Fat 28.885825 g
- Fiber 2.19870836921806 g
- Protein 29.6340291666976 g
- Saturated Fat 13.57666625 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (242g)
- Sodium 968.343333333415 mg
- Sugar 26.1219707981505 g
- Trans Fat 2.00605666666667 g
- Calories 495 calories
Step-by-step
- In a large bowl, combine the soup, mayonnaise and lemon juice.
- Add the chicken, onion, peppers, 1/2 cup of Monterey Jack cheese and 1/2 cup of the cheddar cheese; mix well.
- Add noodles and toss to coat.
- Transfer to a greased 2-QT baking dish.
- Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes.
- Sprinkle with remaining cheeses and Panko bread crumbs that have been tossed in the melted butter.
- Bake another 10 minutes longer or until vegetables are tender and cheese is melted.
Moisture Control in the Base
Using 12 ounces of whole wheat noodles requires careful balancing of the sauce elements. Condensed cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise bind the cubed chicken and vegetables without drowning the starches. Toss the cooked pasta directly into the blended sauce while the noodles are still warm. This allows the pasta to absorb flavor before baking occurs.
The Thermal Stages
Baking takes place in two distinct phases to protect textural contrast. Cover the 2-quart baking dish and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes. This initial heat thoroughly warms the interior ingredients and softens the chopped red and yellow peppers. Uncovering the dish for the final 10 minutes prevents the panko bread crumbs from burning while melting the remaining Monterey Jack and cheddar cheeses.
Adjusting Volume
Scaling this dish requires monitoring surface area rather than just mass. Halving the recipe demands a smaller baking vessel to maintain the correct depth for optimal crust-to-interior ratios.
