Monterey Chicken Spaghetti – Recipe
A creamy, cheesy, and comforting baked pasta loaded with tender chicken, spinach, and Monterey Jack cheese, topped with crispy fried onions. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or meal prepping. Inspired by versions from Plain Chicken, Bad Batch Baking, and New South Charm.
Equipment
- Large pot for boiling pasta
- Colander
- Large mixing bowl
- 9x13-inch baking dish
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Aluminum foil (for make-ahead or freezing)
Ingredients
- 12 oz spaghetti (regular or gluten-free)
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or homemade)
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream (regular or light)
- 10 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed & drained well
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
- 1 cup French’s Fried Onions, divided
- Salt & pepper, to taste
- Optional: ½ tsp smoked paprika or Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease or butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti until al dente, 1–2 minutes less than the package time. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Make the sauce mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, spinach, garlic, 1½ cups cheese, and ½ cup fried onions. Season with salt, pepper, and any optional spices.
- Combine pasta & sauce: Add cooked pasta to the bowl. Toss until well coated, thinning with reserved pasta water if needed.
- Assemble: Transfer mixture to the baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and fried onions.
- Bake: Place in oven for 40–50 minutes, until bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Let rest 5 minutes, then serve warm with salad or garlic bread.
Notes
- Make-Ahead: Assemble and refrigerate up to 48 hours before baking.
- Freezing: Wrap unbaked casserole tightly in foil; freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight before baking.
- Reheating: Add a splash of milk or broth before reheating in oven or microwave to keep creamy.
- Variations: Swap spinach for kale, chicken for turkey, or try adding mushrooms, peppers, or jalapeños.