Chicken noodle casserole is a popular dish that combines chicken, noodles, vegetables, and sauce. There are many variations, including different types of pasta and additions like cheese, vegetables, and canned soup. It can be made with white or dark meat and is a great way to use up leftovers.
The genius cook who created the first chicken noodle casserole must have been a genius indeed. After all, everyone loves a good chicken dinner, and spaghetti is a favorite among kids and adults alike. Casseroles are prized for being delicious, a one-dish dish that offers simple ways to turn tired leftovers into a whole new appetizer. A chicken noodle casserole combines the best of all three meals.
As with all types of casseroles, there are a number of recipes for chicken noodle casseroles. Some call for white meat that has been trimmed or cubed, while others want bony breasts with the skin still on. There are also chicken noodle casseroles made from thigh or other dark meat.
Other variations include pasta types. Strictly speaking, a chicken noodle casserole should be made using only spaghetti, but few cooks base their ingredient list on semantics alone. Rotini, fettuccini or corkscrew can be substituted to give the casserole a different style. Some cooks like to experiment with whole wheat pasta, rice noodles, or Asian noodles to really change it up.
As with most casseroles, chicken noodle casseroles typically contain vegetables, meat, noodles, and sauce. Onions, celery and mushrooms are common bedfellows. Other tasty and colorful additions can include fire-roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, peas, or any other vegetable that is seasonal and appeals to the cook’s sensibilities.
Spaghetti conjures thoughts of a red tomato sauce, and many recipes for chicken noodle casserole do, in fact, include a potted or homemade tomato sauce. These versions often include cheeses of some sort, either sprinkled on top of the casserole to brown and add a nice crust, or tucked into the casserole along with the other ingredients. Mozzarella is a common choice, but ricotta, dry or moist ricotta, or even goat cheese also make the grade.
Cooks up quickly for canned soup as an alternative to red sauce. A creamy version of chicken noodle casserole can be created in minutes with cooked and cubed chicken, a packet of shredded cheese, and a can of condensed cream soup such as mushroom or chicken. Sauteed onion, garlic and celery add flavor and mushroom fans as well as some well browned, sliced, wild or domesticated mushrooms.
Other ways to tweak chicken noodle casseroles abound. Adding a can of sliced water chestnuts adds a crunch, while a handful of crushed butter crackers that have been lightly browned on top adds a gorgeous finish. Alternatively, a can of onion rings is another good choice.
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