Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole is a creamy and cheesy pasta dish the whole family will adore. It combines tender chicken with diced ham and melty Swiss cheese for a hearty twist on the classic chicken dish.
Easy enough for a comforting weeknight meal but substantial enough for Sunday dinner, this dish comes together in a single baking dish for a super easy recipe that yields amazing results every time!
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🩵 About This Recipe
If you're a fan of chicken cordon bleu but get intimidated when you look at classic recipes for the dish, this amazing pasta bake is a fantastic solution!
Featuring the same flavors you know and love, this recipe makes it so easy to put together a delicious casserole with tender pasta, chicken and ham, and a creamy cheese sauce. Top with a golden brown breadcrumb layer for an amazing dinner any night of the week!
Can't get enough of easy chicken dinners? Try my Skillet Chicken Cordon Bleu or this tasty Mediterranean Chicken Casserole!
🧂 Gather Your Ingredients
- pasta - a hearty base that soaks up the creamy sauce and provides structure to the dish.
- unsalted butter - creates a rich, smooth foundation for the sauce and helps cook the flour to form a silky roux.
- all purpose flour - thickens the sauce by forming the roux with butter, giving the pasta a creamy, cohesive texture.
- milk and heavy cream - using both milk and cream results in a rich and creamy base for the casserole.
- Dijon mustard - provides some sharp and tangy flavor that enhances the diced meat.
- seasonings - you'll need garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
- shredded cheese - I prefer to use Swiss cheese for this dish.
- diced ham and diced chicken - chicken cordon bleu typically includes ham, so both meats are important for this dish!
- Parmesan cheese - adds savory richness and a salty finish that enhances the flavor of the sauce.
- breadcrumbs - form a crispy and golden brown topping.
🔪 Let's Make Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta!
(Or click here to jump right to the recipe card with measurements!)
Make Roux
Melt the butter in a large pot over medium heat, then whisk in the flour.
Thicken Roux
Carefully add milk and cream to the pot and whisk until smooth. Cook until it's thickened, then add the mustard and seasonings.
Add Cheese
Mix the shredded cheese into the sauce until melted and fully incorporated.
Prepare Filling
Remove from heat and add cooked pasta, ham, and chicken. Pour into a prepared baking dish.
Make Topping
In a separate mixing bowl, combine Parmesan, bread crumbs, and melted butter.
Assemble and Bake
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the pasta, then bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown and bubbly.
💡 Expert Tips and Tricks
- For the creamiest sauce, buy a block of cheese and grate it yourself. Pre-shredded cheese often comes with a thin coating that prevents sticking but also hinders melting.
- Cook the pasta to al dente (or even less cooked than al dente) as the pasta will continue to cook in the sauce as the casserole bakes.
- It will make the casserole easier to serve if you give it a bit of time to cool slightly and set up before serving.
❔ FAQs
This name comes from French and translates to blue ribbon, which is meant to evoke a top-quality meal made by a professional chef. Chicken cordon bleu is often considered an elegant and gourmet meal!
Too much liquid or not enough flour can lead to a thin or slightly watery sauce in your casserole. You may also need to let it cook down a bit more.
I prefer something like penne or rotini, but any short-cut pasta will work fine. Cavatappi or shells are also great options!
📝 Substitutions and Variations
- The Swiss cheese can be swapped for Gruyere, or you can use a combination of Swiss and Gruyere or Swiss and Mozzarella.
- Add veggies into the casserole by mixing in frozen peas or steamed broccoli.
- Panko breadcrumbs are great for an extra crunch.
- Use seasonings like paprika or dried parsley for an even more flavorful topping.
- A lighter sauce can be achieved by using all milk rather than milk and cream.
Kristin's Kitchen Tip
Use a rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken and ham to save time and use up leftovers!
🥡 Storage and Reheating
If you have leftovers, transfer to an airtight container. Store in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
You can reheat leftovers in individual portions in the microwave or pop the whole thing in the oven at 350 degrees F. If the casserole seems overly thick, mix in a splash of milk or cream beforehand.
Keep It Handy
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🍴 What To Serve With This Dish
Steamed vegetables or a side salad are great options to serve alongside this baked chicken cordon bleu casserole. Garlic bread or dinner rolls are also a delicious side, and roasted asparagus or roasted green beans are fantastic choices as well!
😋 More Baked Pasta Recipes You'll Love
- Baked Ravioli Casserole - Take simple ravioli and turn it into a hearty and filling pasta bake!
- Mushroom Spinach Ricotta Pasta Bake - The whole family will love this all-in-one baked dinner.
- Baked Mexican Mac and Cheese - This fun take on mac and cheese features ingredients and flavors inspired by Mexican cooking.
- Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake - Make this pasta dish from One Sweet Appetite for a creamy and delicious dinner that's so easy to make!
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Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole
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📋 Recipe Card
Baked Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast
- 1 cup diced ham
Topping:
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1 melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cook the pasta according to package directions; drain and set aside.12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.4 tablespoons butter, 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Slowly add the milk and cream, whisking until smooth. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Dijon mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.2 cups milk, 1 cup heavy cream, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, Salt and pepper, to taste
- Remove from heat and stir in the Swiss cheese until melted.2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, ham, and cheese sauce. Pour into the prepared baking dish.2 cups cooked, diced chicken breast, 1 cup diced ham
- In a small bowl, mix the Parmesan, breadcrumbs, and melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the pasta.½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 cup breadcrumbs, 1 melted butter
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Prep Tips:
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time. This casserole is a great way to repurpose leftovers.
- Shred your own cheese if possible, since it melts more smoothly than pre-shredded varieties.
- Cook the pasta just to al dente since it will continue to soften as it bakes.
- Let the casserole rest for a few minutes after baking so it sets up nicely and is easier to serve.
Variation Suggestions:
- Swap Swiss cheese for Gruyere, a Swiss-Gruyere blend, or a Swiss-mozzarella blend.
- Add a handful of frozen peas or steamed broccoli to sneak in some veggies.
- For extra crunch, use panko breadcrumbs and mix in a pinch of paprika or dried parsley with the topping.
- If you would prefer a light sauce, use all milk instead of the milk and cream combination.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve with a simple green salad or steamed vegetables to balance out the richness.
- Garlic bread or a warm dinner roll makes a great side.
- This casserole also pairs well with roasted asparagus or green beans.
Storage Info for Leftovers:
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm larger portions in the oven at 350 degrees F until heated through.
- If the casserole seems dry when reheating, add a splash of milk or cream before warming.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
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