Chicken and Macaroni Bake Creamy Chicken and Macaroni Cheese Bake with a Golden Crust Ingredients: 2 cups cooked elbow macaroni 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached) 2 tablespoons butter 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 cups milk 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese ½ cup mozzarella cheese ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder ½ teaspoon paprika Salt and pepper to taste ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ¼ cup breadcrumbs (optional topping) Chopped parsley for garnish Directions: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour to form a roux and cook for 1 minute. Gradually add the milk, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens, about 3–5 minutes. Stir in cheddar, mozzarella, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and cheese is fully melted. In a large bowl, combine the cooked macaroni and shredded chicken. Pour the cheese sauce over and mix to coat evenly. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs on top for a crunchy crust. Bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes or until the top is golden and bubbling. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley. Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes Kcal: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings #chickenmacaroni #comfortfood #macandcheese #easybake #cheesybake #pastabake #familydinner #homestylecooking #ovenbakedpasta #chickendinner #bakedmacaroni #cheeselovers #mealprepideas #chickencasserole #simplemeals #weeknightdinner #creamybake #cheeseaddict #parmesancrust #bakedgoodness Creamy, cheesy, golden, and comforting! This Chicken and Macaroni Bake is the weeknight dinner your whole family will devour.

Baked Ziti Cheesy Baked Ziti with Marinara and Ricotta Ingredients: 1 lb ziti pasta 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 pound ground beef or Italian sausage 1 small onion, diced 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 (28 oz) jar marinara sauce 1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 egg 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried Salt and pepper to taste Fresh parsley (optional garnish) Directions: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cook the ziti according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook for 2–3 minutes. Add the ground beef or sausage and cook until browned. Drain excess fat. Stir in the marinara sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and basil. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, 1 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, and egg until smooth. Toss the cooked pasta with half of the meat sauce. In the baking dish, layer half of the pasta mixture, spread the ricotta mixture evenly over it, then top with remaining pasta and sauce. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and slightly browned. Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired. Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour Kcal: 525 kcal | Servings: 8 servings #bakedziti #pastaalforno #italiancasserole #familydinner #cheesylayers #comfortfoodclassic #homemadepasta #pastabake #weeknightdinner #zitimeal #easyitalianrecipes #ovenbakedpasta #ricottarecipes #mozzarellalove #heartycasserole #onepanmeals #italiandinner #sundaydinnerideas #quickitalian #cheesycomfort Layers of melty cheese, savory sauce, and baked pasta perfection This Baked Ziti is everything you want on a cozy night in.