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Make-Ahead Cheesy Southwest Chicken and Pasta Casserole

Prep 45 min
Total 1 hr 25 min
Servings 10

Plan ahead and put this party-ready casserole in the freezer for your next big get-together! Once it’s thawed, top with tortilla chips, and bake for a cheesy-crunchy crowd pleaser that packs tons of flavor and just the right amount of heat. MORE+ LESS-

By Betty Crocker Kitchens

July 24, 2018

Ingredients

tablespoons butter

medium onion, chopped (1 cup)

medium red bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)

medium poblano chile, chopped (3/4 cup)

medium jalapeño chile, seeded and finely chopped

tablespoons Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour

package (0.85 oz) Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix

cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from 32-oz carton)

oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (4 oz)

4 1/2

cups uncooked bow-tie (farfalle) pasta (12 oz)

cups shredded deli rotisserie chicken

cup Cascadian Farm™ organic frozen corn (from 10-oz bag)

can (15 oz) Progresso™ black beans, drained, rinsed

can (10 oz) Old El Paso™ mild red enchilada sauce

1 1/2

cups crushed tortilla chips (about 6 oz)

1/4

cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

1/4

cup chopped red onion

Steps

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1

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray bottom and sides of 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
2

In 4-quart saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in onion, bell pepper, poblano and jalapeño chiles; cook about 6 minutes or until vegetables are softened. Stir in flour and taco seasoning mix; cook and stir 1 minute. Gradually beat in broth with whisk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in cream cheese and Cheddar cheese.
3

Meanwhile, cook pasta as directed on package for minimum cook time. Drain; stir pasta into sauce with chicken, frozen corn and black beans. Pour pasta mixture into baking dish, and pour enchilada sauce over top.
4

Bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and sprinkle with tortilla chips. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through and sauce is bubbling around edges. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with cilantro and red onion just before serving.
5

To freeze: Line 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with foil, making sure foil is as smooth as possible, as wrinkled foil may get stuck in sauce during freezing process. Leave enough overhang to lift casserole out of dish. Spray foil with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate sauce 30 to 40 minutes before assembling casserole. Mix sauce with cooked pasta, chicken, frozen corn and beans; spread in lined baking dish (do not add enchilada sauce); cover tightly with another layer of foil. Freeze unbaked casserole about 8 hours or until completely frozen. Transfer frozen casserole to labeled 2-gallon resealable freezer plastic bag. Remove air; seal and freeze up to three months. To bake: Remove foil, and transfer to 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Cover and thaw in refrigerator until completely thawed, at least 48 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Remove cover, and top with enchilada sauce. Bake 20 minutes; top with crushed tortilla chips. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through and bubbly around edges (165°F in center). Let stand 15 minutes. Top with cilantro and red onion just before serving.

Expert Tips

Serrano chiles make a good substitute for the jalapeño in this recipe if you’re looking to deliver a bit more heat to this casserole.
Old El Paso™ hot red enchilada sauce can be substituted for the mild in this recipe.

Nutrition Information

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Calories: 490
Calories from Fat: 160

% Daily Value

Total Fat: 18g; 28%
Saturated Fat 8g 39% Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol: 55mg; 19%
Sodium: 910mg; 38%
Potassium: 420mg; 12%
Total Carbohydrate: 61g; 20%
Dietary Fiber 7g 28% Sugars 5g
Protein: 21g

% Daily Value*:

Vitamin A: 20%; 20%
Vitamin C: 35%; 35%
Calcium: 15%; 15%
Iron: 20%; 20%

Exchanges:

1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 3 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 1/2 Vegetable; 2 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 1/2 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat;