Ultimate Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Bake with Egg Noodles and Parmesan

Searching for the perfect blend of comfort and convenience for your next family dinner? Look no further than this **Savory Chicken and Mushroom Bake**. This delightful casserole is a true weeknight hero, bringing together tender pieces of chicken, earthy mushrooms, and classic egg noodles in a luxurious, creamy sauce, all crowned with a golden, tangy Parmesan cheese topping. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a warm, inviting dish that promises to satisfy every palate. Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or just starting out, this recipe is incredibly straightforward and forgiving, making it an excellent choice for a satisfying dinner with minimal fuss. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to utilize leftover chicken, transforming it into something truly special without extensive prep.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken and Mushroom Bake

This recipe isn’t just another casserole; it’s a culinary hug in a baking dish. Here’s why it’s destined to become a staple in your kitchen:

Effortlessly Easy: With minimal active cooking time, you can have this dish prepped and ready for the oven in about 10 minutes, making it ideal for busy evenings.
Ultimate Comfort Food: The rich, creamy sauce paired with tender chicken and soft egg noodles creates a hearty and incredibly satisfying dish that’s perfect for chilly nights or whenever you need a boost of warmth.
Budget-Friendly: Utilizing common pantry staples and leftover chicken, this bake is a smart and economical way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
Highly Customizable: Adapt it to your family’s tastes or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Add more vegetables, switch up the cheese, or even try a different protein.
Kid-Friendly: The mild, creamy flavors and familiar ingredients make this a hit with children, ensuring clean plates all around.
Perfect for Meal Prep: It reheats beautifully, making it an excellent option for meal prepping lunches or dinners throughout the week.

⏲️ Time Needed to Create This Comforting Casserole

One of the best features of this Savory Chicken and Mushroom Bake is its impressive efficiency. You can significantly cut down on prep time by multitasking, starting your creamy sauce while the egg noodles are boiling. This smart approach allows you to achieve a total prep time of approximately 10 minutes. Once assembled, the casserole bakes to golden perfection in about 45 minutes. This means you can have a truly delicious, homemade meal on the table in under an hour, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when time is of the essence.

Prep Time: 10 minutes (active hands-on time)
Cook Time: 45 minutes (baking in the oven)
Total Time: Approximately 55 minutes

🥘 Essential Ingredients for Your Chicken and Mushroom Bake

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this delightful casserole. Most are likely already in your pantry or easily found at any grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need to make this creamy chicken and mushroom bake:

Butter: Forms the base of our rich roux for the creamy sauce.
Flour: The thickening agent for the velvety white sauce. All-purpose flour works perfectly.
Chicken Broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce. Low-sodium is recommended to control saltiness.
Milk: Contributes to the creamy texture and richness of the sauce. Whole milk or 2% milk will yield the best results.
Sliced Mushrooms: Whether you prefer fresh or canned, mushrooms add an essential umami flavor and delightful texture. If using fresh, slice them thinly.
Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to enhance all the flavors in the dish. Adjust to your personal preference.
Egg Noodles: The classic pasta choice for this bake, providing a soft, comforting bite.
Cooked Chicken: This recipe shines when using up leftover roasted chicken, rotisserie chicken, or simply pre-cooked chicken breasts or thighs, cubed for easy incorporation.
Grated Parmesan Cheese: Provides a tangy, savory crust and a wonderful flavor boost when baked on top. Freshly grated is always best!

Ingredient Spotlight & Tips:

Chicken: For convenience, a store-bought rotisserie chicken is your best friend. Otherwise, you can boil or bake chicken breasts/thighs until cooked through, then shred or cube them. About 2 cups of cooked chicken is what you’re aiming for.
Mushrooms: While canned sliced mushrooms are convenient, fresh mushrooms (like cremini or button) sautéed briefly before adding to the sauce will offer a more intense, earthy flavor. Simply sauté them in a little butter until softened before incorporating.
Pasta: Don’t limit yourself to egg noodles! Penne, rotini, or even bow-tie pasta can be excellent substitutes, providing a different texture while still soaking up the creamy sauce beautifully. Cook them al dente, as they will continue to cook in the oven.

🌾 Adaptations for Dietary Restrictions & Creative Variations

This Savory Chicken and Mushroom Bake is inherently versatile, making it easy to tweak for various dietary needs or simply to explore new flavor combinations.

Dietary Adaptations:

Gluten-Free: Traditional egg noodles contain gluten. However, the market now offers excellent gluten-free egg noodles or other GF pasta alternatives. Ensure your chicken broth and flour are also certified gluten-free. For the sauce, you can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend or a cornstarch slurry (mix cornstarch with a little cold water before adding) as a thickener.
Dairy-Free: Substitute butter with a dairy-free butter alternative. Use unsweetened dairy-free milk (like almond or oat milk) and a dairy-free cream cheese or cashew cream for richness. Omit the Parmesan or use a dairy-free Parmesan substitute.
Lower Carb: Replace egg noodles with zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or shirataki noodles. Be mindful that these alternatives might release more water, so you might want to reduce the liquid in the sauce slightly or cook them separately and drain very well.
Vegetarian Option: For a delicious vegetarian version, simply omit the chicken. You can bulk up the dish with extra mushrooms, adding sautéed bell peppers, spinach, or cooked lentils for protein. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Creative Variations:

Add More Vegetables: Incorporate cooked peas, diced carrots, chopped broccoli florets, or fresh spinach into the mix for added nutrition and color. Stir them in with the chicken and noodles before baking.
Spice It Up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce in the creamy sauce can add a pleasant kick.
Herbaceous Boost: Fresh herbs like chopped parsley, chives, or a hint of thyme or rosemary can elevate the flavor profile.
Cheesy Twist: While Parmesan is classic, feel free to experiment with other cheeses. Gruyère, sharp cheddar, or even a blend of Italian cheeses can offer different depths of flavor.
Crunchy Topping: For an extra layer of texture, mix a handful of breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle over the Parmesan cheese before baking. Crushed Ritz crackers also work wonderfully!
Different Proteins: Leftover turkey from Thanksgiving, diced ham, or even pre-cooked sausage can be swapped in for the chicken, making this recipe incredibly adaptable to whatever you have on hand.

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Bake

Creating this comforting casserole is straightforward. Follow these detailed steps to ensure a delicious outcome:

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures the oven is at the correct temperature when your casserole is ready to bake, leading to even cooking and a perfectly golden crust.
Cook Noodles: In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook 8 ounces of egg noodles according to the package directions until al dente. Drain them well and set aside. Avoid overcooking, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
Prepare the White Sauce (Roux): While the noodles are cooking, melt ½ cup of butter in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and slightly bubbling, whisk in ⅓ cup of all-purpose flour. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes until a smooth paste, or roux, forms and it smells slightly nutty (do not let it brown too much). This step is crucial for preventing a lumpy sauce.
Build the Creamy Sauce: Gradually add 2 cups of chicken broth and 1 cup of milk to the roux, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to cook and stir over medium heat until the sauce thickens and comes to a gentle boil. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes. The sauce should be smooth and coats the back of a spoon.
Season and Add Mushrooms: Once the sauce has thickened, stir in a 4-ounce can of drained sliced mushrooms. Season the sauce generously with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other desired seasonings like garlic powder or a pinch of dried thyme at this stage. Mix everything well to combine.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl or directly in the saucepan (if it’s large enough), combine the 2 cups of cubed cooked chicken, the cooked and drained egg noodles, and the freshly prepared creamy mushroom sauce. Gently fold everything together until the chicken and noodles are evenly coated with the sauce.
Assemble and Top: Transfer the mixture into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish. Spread it out evenly. Finally, sprinkle ⅓ cup of grated Parmesan cheese generously over the top of the casserole.
Bake to Perfection: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly around the edges and the top is beautifully golden brown. The Parmesan cheese should form a delicious, slightly crispy crust.
Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to set slightly, making it easier to portion and ensuring it’s not too hot to enjoy immediately.

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Savory Chicken and Mushroom Bake

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Savory Chicken and Mushroom Bake is a perfectly easy combination of chicken, mushrooms, and pasta in a creamy sauce with a tangy Parmesan topping. It’s a great meal for using up leftover chicken without a lot of prep.

AuthorMary Ann

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Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 45 minutes

Total Time 55 minutes

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 440

Ingredients

½ cup butter
⅓ cup flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk
4 ounce can sliced mushrooms, drained
salt and pepper to taste
8 ounces egg noodles, cooked
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese

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Instructions

Heat oven to 350°F.
Cook 8 ounces egg noodles according to package directions.
Make a white sauce by melting ½ cup butter, then adding ⅓ cup flour, stirring until smooth. Gradually add 2 cups chicken broth and 1 cup milk, stirring constantly.
Add 4 ounce can sliced mushrooms and salt and pepper to taste and mix well.
Combine 2 cups cooked chicken, 8 ounces egg noodles, and prepared sauce.
Place in an ungreased 9 x 13 inch baking dish and top with ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350°F for about 45 minutes.

Nutrition per serving

Calories: 440 calCarbohydrates: 35 gProtein: 22 gFat: 23 gSodium: 568 mgFiber: 2 gSugar: 3 gNet Carbohydrates: 33 g

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Serving Suggestions for Your Casserole

This Savory Chicken and Mushroom Bake is a hearty meal all on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a few simple sides to create a complete and balanced dinner. Here are some suggestions to complement its creamy richness:

Fresh Green Salad: A crisp, light green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a refreshing contrast to the rich casserole. Think mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
Crusty Bread or Garlic Bread: Perfect for soaking up any extra creamy sauce. Garlic bread adds another layer of savory flavor.
Steamed or Roasted Vegetables: Simple steamed green beans, asparagus, or roasted broccoli florets offer a nutritious and colorful side that balances the meal.
Apple Sauce or Fruit Salad: For a touch of sweetness and a different texture, a side of homemade apple sauce or a fresh fruit salad can be a delightful addition, especially if serving to children.

Storage and Reheating Tips

This casserole is fantastic for leftovers, often tasting even better the next day as the flavors meld. Here’s how to store and reheat it:

Refrigeration: Allow the casserole to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezing: For longer storage, portion the cooled casserole into freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. It can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating in the Oven: For best results, reheat individual portions or the entire casserole in an oven preheated to 300°F (150°C). Cover with foil to prevent drying out and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until heated through. Add a splash of milk or broth if the sauce seems too thick.
Reheating in the Microwave: Individual portions can be easily reheated in the microwave. Place in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat on medium power for 2-4 minutes, stirring halfway through, until hot. Again, a little extra liquid can help keep it moist.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even the simplest recipes can sometimes present small challenges. Here are a few common issues you might encounter with this chicken and mushroom bake and how to fix them:

Sauce is too thick: If your creamy sauce becomes too thick during cooking or reheating, simply whisk in a tablespoon or two of extra milk or chicken broth until it reaches your desired consistency.
Sauce is too thin: If the sauce isn’t thickening enough, create a slurry with a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of cold water. Whisk it into the simmering sauce and cook for another minute until thickened.
Casserole is dry: This can happen if baked too long or at too high a temperature. To prevent this, ensure your oven temperature is accurate and don’t overbake. If your leftovers seem dry, add a little extra milk or broth when reheating.
Lumpy sauce: Lumps usually occur if the flour isn’t fully incorporated into the butter when making the roux, or if the liquid is added too quickly without constant whisking. To fix a lumpy sauce, you can carefully strain it through a fine-mesh sieve or use an immersion blender to smooth it out before combining with other ingredients.
Lack of flavor: Ensure you’re seasoning adequately with salt and pepper throughout the process. A pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs (like thyme or oregano) can also boost the savory notes. Taste and adjust before baking!

📌 Pin This Recipe for Later!

Don’t forget to save this incredible recipe for your future meal planning! Pin it to your favorite dinner ideas board on Pinterest so you can easily find it whenever you need a comforting, easy, and satisfying meal for your family.