Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1 box (16 oz) short pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 box (6 oz) herb-seasoned stuffing mix
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 can (10.5 oz) condensed cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup melted butter
Instructions
- Step 1: Preparation and Preheating. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large 9×13 inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or a light coating of butter. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package directions, but stop two minutes before it reaches al dente.
- Step 2: Brown the Beef and Mix the Base. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain the excess grease thoroughly. In a massive mixing bowl, combine the browned beef, shredded chicken, cooked pasta, cream of chicken soup, cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Stir everything together until the pasta and meats are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Step 3: Assemble the Casserole. Pour the pasta mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese in an even layer across the top. In a separate small bowl, toss the dry stuffing mix with the melted butter until the crumbs are moistened. Scatter the buttery stuffing over the cheese layer.
- Step 4: Baking. Place the dish in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling around the edges and the stuffing topping has turned a golden, crispy brown. If the stuffing browns too quickly, tent the dish loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 minutes of baking.
- Step 5: Resting and Serving. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it sit for about 5 to 10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the sauce to thicken slightly, making it easier to scoop out perfect portions. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
- Cook Time: 1 hour