If you’re craving ultimate comfort food that’s irresistibly creamy, just a little spicy, and generously cheesy, Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is about to become your new weeknight hero. This Southern staple brings together tender chicken, vibrant peppers, zesty Rotel tomatoes, and gooey cheddar all in one bubbly baked casserole. It’s hearty, satisfying, and made for feeding hungry families or a crowd of friends — the kind of dish you’ll look forward to serving because you know everyone is going to go back for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is built from simple, classic ingredients, each one adding its own magic to the casserole. Nothing fancy here — just reliable pantry staples and a couple of fresh touches that transform everyday items into a truly memorable meal.
- Spaghetti: Break this up so every bite is perfectly sauced and cheesy, and cooking it al dente keeps the casserole from going mushy.
- Butter: Gives you a rich base to sauté the veggies and rounds out the flavor with a touch of indulgence.
- Onion: Adds a subtle sweet savoriness and melts right into the sauce for big flavor.
- Green Bell Pepper: Brings color as well as a gentle fresh crunch — totally essential for Southern casseroles.
- Cooked Shredded Chicken: Rotisserie or leftover chicken works perfectly, giving the dish substance and protein in every forkful.
- Rotel Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies: The not-so-secret ingredient! They provide that little kick and burst of tomato flavor that makes this dish sing.
- Cream of Chicken Soup: Creates the rich, creamy base with tons of savory depth.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup: Doubles down on creamy, earthy goodness and adds a subtle umami note.
- Sour Cream: Makes everything indulgently silky and keeps the casserole incredibly moist.
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese: Go for sharp if you can — it melts beautifully and gives that irresistible golden topping.
- Garlic Powder: Provides warmth and a simple garlicky hum behind the scenes.
- Black Pepper: Cuts through the richness and perks up the whole dish.
- Salt: Just enough to balance everything and let each flavor shine.
How to Make Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), then grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and give it a quick mist of cooking spray or a swipe of butter. This not only helps with easy cleanup, but also keeps all that glorious cheesy goodness from sticking to the pan.
Step 2: Cook the Spaghetti
Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil and add your broken pieces of spaghetti. Cook them until they’re just al dente — remember, they’ll keep cooking a little in the oven, so you want them sturdy, not soft. Drain well and set aside so they’re ready to soak up all the sauce.
Step 3: Sauté the Veggies
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then tumble in the diced onion and green pepper. Sauté them for about 5 to 7 minutes until they’re softened and the kitchen smells deliciously savory. This forms a sweet, mellow base for the rest of your casserole.
Step 4: Make the Creamy Sauce
To your skillet of softened veggies, add the shredded chicken, undrained Rotel tomatoes (juice and all!), both cream soups, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups of cheddar, garlic powder, black pepper, and a pinch of salt. Stir everything together until it’s creamy and well combined, letting it heat through so the flavors can come together.
Step 5: Combine with Pasta
Now it’s time to bring everything together. Add the drained spaghetti directly to the skillet if it’s big enough, or use a large mixing bowl. Toss gently but thoroughly so every strand of spaghetti gets coated with that luscious, cheesy sauce and bits of chicken. This is where it already starts looking irresistible!
Step 6: Assemble and Top with Cheese
Spoon the decadent mixture into your prepared baking dish and use a spatula to spread it evenly. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, which will melt into an ooey-gooey golden layer after baking.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Slide your casserole into the oven and bake uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is bubbling gently and the edges are just crisping up. Let it rest for five minutes before serving — trust me, it’s worth the wait and helps set those creamy layers.
How to Serve Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
Garnishes
When it comes to serving Rotel Chicken Spaghetti, a little fresh garnish can make it feel extra special. Sprinkle a handful of chopped fresh parsley or sliced green onions over the top for color and a burst of freshness. Even a few diced jalapeños (or mild pickled ones!) offer a fun spicy kick if you love heat.
Side Dishes
This casserole plays so well with classic comfort sides. Try a crisp green salad dressed simply in lemon juice and olive oil, or some garlicky Texas toast or warm dinner rolls to help scoop up every bit of sauce. For something even heartier, pair it with roasted broccoli or buttery green beans for a plate full of flavor and color.
Creative Ways to Present
Rotel Chicken Spaghetti doesn’t have to be a standard bake-and-scoop affair. Serve it in individual ramekins for a dinner party, or bring it to a potluck in a big cast iron skillet for extra Southern charm. For game day, cut the cooled casserole into squares for easy, cheesy finger food — guaranteed to turn heads!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers of Rotel Chicken Spaghetti are a dream. Once cooled, store any extra slices in an airtight container in the fridge. The flavors actually deepen as they mingle overnight, making tomorrow’s lunch even more crave-worthy. It keeps beautifully for up to 3 days.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze Rotel Chicken Spaghetti! Assemble the casserole, cool it completely, and either freeze the whole thing tightly wrapped or divide it into portions. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking. It’s a fantastic way to get ahead for busy nights or unexpected guests.
Reheating
For best results, reheat covered in a 350°F oven until hot and bubbly, about 20-25 minutes. Individual servings can also go in the microwave — just cover and heat in 1-minute bursts, stirring in between. Add a splash of milk or chicken broth if you want to loosen up the sauce a bit.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course
Absolutely! While spaghetti is classic for Rotel Chicken Spaghetti, you can swap in linguine, fettuccine, or even short shapes like rotini or penne. Just be sure to adjust cooking times accordingly and cook the pasta al dente so it holds its shape after baking.
Is it possible to make Rotel Chicken Spaghetti ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble the entire casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate covered. Just add about 5-10 extra minutes to your bake time since you’ll be starting from chilled. This makes it perfect for meal prep or prepping for gatherings ahead of time.
What if I want a spicier or milder version?
For more heat, use “hot” Rotel tomatoes or add a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce. To keep things milder, opt for the “original” or “mild” variety of Rotel, and serve spicy condiments on the side for those who want extra zip.
Can I substitute the canned soups?
If you’re not a fan of canned soups, you can use homemade condensed cream of chicken or mushroom soup, or even substitute with a thick béchamel sauce for a fresher touch. It’s a great way to control the ingredients and adjust the richness to taste.
Is Rotel Chicken Spaghetti good for kids and picky eaters?
It’s always a hit with kids, especially with all that gooey cheese and tender shredded chicken! If you have extra-picky eaters, just finely dice or even omit the peppers, and go with mild Rotel. It’s one of those cozy meals that makes everyone feel at home.
Final Thoughts
If you’re hunting for a warm, cheesy, and totally crowd-pleasing meal, Rotel Chicken Spaghetti ticks all the boxes. Every bite is a little celebration of comfort, flavor, and Southern spirit. Take a chance on this recipe and watch it earn a permanent spot in your comfort food rotation!
Print
Rotel Chicken Spaghetti Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A comforting and cheesy Southern classic, this Rotel Chicken Spaghetti is a creamy pasta casserole that is sure to please the whole family. Tender spaghetti noodles are mixed with a flavorful blend of cooked chicken, Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, cream of chicken and mushroom soups, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, then baked to bubbly perfection.
Ingredients
Spaghetti:
- 12 ounces spaghetti, broken in half
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 1 (10-ounce) can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chilies, undrained
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of chicken soup
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook spaghetti: Cook spaghetti until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Prepare sauce: In a skillet, sauté onion and bell pepper, then add chicken, Rotel tomatoes, soups, sour cream, 1 1/2 cups cheddar, garlic powder, pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- Combine: Toss cooked spaghetti with the sauce, transfer to baking dish, and top with remaining cheddar.
- Bake: Bake for 25–30 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Let cool before serving.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick shortcut.
- For extra heat, add cayenne or hot sauce to taste.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; adjust bake time accordingly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
