Ingredients

The following ingredients have 7 Servings
  • 1 pound cavatappi, ritoni or penne pasta
  • 3 cups broccoli, (cut into bite size pieces)
  • 1 pound bacon, (cooked and crumbled (see notes for baking))
  • 2 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 onion, (diced (or ½ teaspoon onion powder))
  • 1 red bell pepper, (chopped (optional))
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, (minced)
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 cups half and half ((may sub milk whisked with 1 ½ TBS cornstarch))
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 (1 oz.) packet dry ranch dressing seasoning mix ((2 tablespoons) or use DIY below)
  • 1 tsp EACH salt, dried basil, ground mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1/2 cup sour cream ((optional for extra creamy))
  • 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese, (divided)
  • 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 ½ cups shredded rotisserie chicken
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 tsp EACH dried dill, dried chives
  • 1 tsp EACH onion powder, garlic powder
  • 1/4 tsp EACH pepper, salt

Instruction

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add broccoli and cook 3-5 minutes, depending on how tender you like your broccoli. Using a slotted spoon or sieve, remove the broccoli and rinse with very cold water. Strain and remove to a plate. In the same pot, proceed to cook pasta al dente according to package directions (don't overcook because it's going in the oven).
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onions and sauté for 4 minutes. Add bell peppers and garlic and sauté an additional 2-3 minutes, until onions are soft.
  • Sprinkle in the flour and cook, while stirring, for 2 minutes.
  • Turn heat to low then gradually whisk in half and half, chicken broth and all of the seasoning. Bring to a simmer, whisking constantly. Continue to simmer over medium heat, whisking often until thickened (but not overly thick), 5-10 minutes.
  • Turn heat to low and whisk in 1 cup shredded cheddar until melted followed by 1 cup shredded mozzarella until melted. Whisk in sour cream until blended.
  • Stir in chicken, broccoli and half of the bacon until evenly coated, followed by pasta (Note: If your skillet is too small, combine everything together in a large pot like the one you cooked the pasta in.)