Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole

Upgrade pasta night with Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta! Savory Ham, tender chicken, and melty Swiss bathed in a creamy sauce with crisp, buttery topping. Weeknight Winner!

We love easy pasta recipes the whole family will love, just like Pizza Pasta Bake, Baked Spaghetti, and Easy Bacon Carbonara.

Why You’ll Love Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

I remember when “chicken cordon bleu” sounded so fancy and exotic, and only something you ordered at a restaurant. Now, it just makes my mouth water, knowing I can pull together this delicious baked pasta meal in 20 minutes, and it’s in the oven.

• Chicken cordon bleu pasta is a perfect make-ahead dinner for those busy days when you need a weeknight rescue!
• It turns pasta night up a notch without any fancy ingredients or cooking skills needed.
• Quick and easy using packaged ham and pre-baked, leftover, or rotisserie chicken.
• Creamy pasta, melty cheeses, and a buttery-crisp topping create a flavor combo that’s just heavenly.
• Leftovers Welcome! Tastes just as good reheated, making it a winner for next-day lunches.

Ingredients for Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Bake

Simple, straightforward ingredients and a homemade pasta cheese sauce that couldn’t be easier—just simmer and stir. Fancy name, fantastic flavor, yet practically effortless to make. Chicken cordon bleu pasta is truly a winner-winner chicken dinner!

For specific amounts, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.

For Creamy Cheese Pasta Sauce

• Butter
• Garlic Cloves, Minced
• Heavy Cream – is preferred, but you can also use half and half. The full-fat cream gives the pasta dish richness.
• Milk – Whole milk is recommended for the same reason.
• Worcestershire
• Seasonings: dry mustard, dried thyme, and ground pepper
• Cheese: shredded Swiss cheese, shredded monterey jack or mozzarella cheese

For Pasta Casserole

• Ziti – Or Rotini, Rigatoni, Penne; any sturdy pasta that captures and holds the luscious cream sauce in each bite.
• Shredded Rotisserie Chicken – Or cooked chopped chicken. (You can even use leftover turkey. Yes, it’s a thing! ?)
• Cooked Cubed Ham – smoked ham adds a subtle layered depth to pasta cordon bleu.

For Crispy Topping

• Panko Breadcrumbs – light, crustless breadcrumbs that crisp nicely and get super crunchy.
• Butter – melted
• Grated Parmesan Cheese
• Fresh Parsley – finely chopped

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Directions

You’ll need a pasta pot, saucepan, and a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Preheat oven and get ready to have this fantastic pasta dinner on the table in under an hour!

When you are making, you’ll want to use the full recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Prepare Pasta: Use package directions; cook to al dente.
2. Prepare Sauce: Melt butter, add the rest of the pasta sauce ingredients except cheese, stirring, and bring to a simmer.
3. Reduce heat and stir in cheese until melted. Remove from heat.
4. Prepare Pasta Casserole: Combine drained pasta, chicken, ham, and cheesy sauce, then pour into the prepared dish.
5. Combine savory topping ingredients and sprinkle over the cordon bleu pasta mixture.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top starts to brown and the edges are bubbly.
7. Allow to set for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Recipe Notes And Tips

• Save time using pre-cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken. 
• A great dish for weekend prep to make ahead of time and pull from the freezer the night before or the morning before work. 
• Make a double batch and freeze one so you are ready to go when you need a delicious upgraded pasta meal on the fly.
• For smaller families, divide the casserole into smaller casserole dishes.
• Dice up leftover holiday ham, portion it into one-cup servings, label, and freeze it for convenience. 
• Grill or bake extra chicken when making other meals to prep and freeze for use in a cordon bleu pasta bake.
• When choosing your cordon blue pasta bake noodles, go for a sturdy, shorter cut like Shells, Penne, or Rigatoni. These shapes are crafted to hold onto all your pasta casserole’s deliciousness.
• Salt your pasta water generously.
• Once adding the pasta to a roiling boil, stir it well for the first couple of minutes to keep the pasta from sticking.
• Don’t add oil or fat to the pasta; this keeps the pasta from getting well coated with sauce and absorbing the flavors of the baked dish.
• Err on the side of firmer (el dente) rather than softer for the pasta because it continues to cook in the baking process.

How To Store This Pasta Bake

Store leftovers tightly covered or in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

To Reheat: If the pasta seems dry, spritz it with water or milk and cover it with foil in the oven for the first 10-15 minutes so the steam does its magic. Then remove the foil and continue baking until heated through.

Make-Ahead And Freeze Prep: Assemble and freeze cordon bleu pasta without the crunchy panko topping. Thaw in the fridge and sprinkle with topping before baking.

FAQs

What are panko bread crumbs?

Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese-style breadcrumbs known for being super light and crispy. They’re made from crustless bread, giving them a flakier and crunchier texture than regular breadcrumbs. They are used to make fried foods or baked dishes extra crispy.

Can I use regular bread crumbs instead of panko?

Start with equal amounts, but be prepared to add more for desired crispness.

What can I add to a cordon bleu cheese pasta sauce if I don’t have heavy cream?

If you find yourself without heavy cream, cream cheese can be a suitable alternative to add creaminess to your pasta sauce. Note that cream cheese has a tangy taste, and it will complement the Swiss cheese in cordon bleu pasta. Something to consider if you try this substitution in other dishes.

How do I add cream cheese to pasta sauce when I don’t have heavy cream?

To replace a cup of heavy cream in a pasta sauce with cream cheese, combine 1/4 cup of cream cheese with 3/4 cup of regular milk. This mixture provides a consistency and richness similar to heavy cream in many recipes. Adjust the ratio based on your specific dish and taste preferences.

What is cordon bleu

Chicken Cordon Bleu is a classic dish featuring chicken breasts stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, coated in breadcrumbs, and then baked or fried until golden and crispy. The result is a delicious combination of savory flavors and textures.

Why do they call it cordon bleu

The term “Cordon Bleu” is French for “Blue Ribbon,” and it is associated with excellence and the highest culinary standards, indicating a dish of top-notch quality and sophistication.

Variation Ideas

• Cream cheese can be substituted for heavy cream when needed, but it can also be added in place of one of the cheeses! (see FAQs)
• Feel free to use different types of cheese, such as cheddar or Gruyere (or use up those opened bags of shredded cheese in your fridge!)
• If you’re not a huge Swiss cheese fan, try regular or herbed goat cheese to get that tangy kick.
• Serve chicken cordon bleu pasta alongside oven-roasted broccoli, sauteed green beans, or roasted parmesan asparagus.

Like This Recipe?

I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a review below and let me know how you liked the recipe!

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Creamy Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes

Creamy pasta, melty swiss cheese, chicken, and savory ham all under a crunchy topping makes this easy Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta Casserole a family favorite.

Ingredients

For Sauce

• 3/4 cup butter
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1  teaspoon Worchestershire
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup Shredded Swiss Cheese
• 1 cup Shredded Monterey Jack or Mozzarella Cheese

For Casserole

• 1 pound box ziti (or rotini, rigatoni, penne)
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (or cooked chopped chicken)
• 1 cup cooked cubed ham

for topping

• 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1-2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with nonstick spray. Set aside.
2. Boil water for pasta in a large pot, and cook pasta to al dente.
3. While pasta cooks, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add heavy cream, milk, minced garlic, Worcestershire, dry mustard, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the Swiss and Monterey jack, and stir until the cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
4. When the pasta is cooked, drain the water and return the pasta to the pan. Stir in the chicken, ham, and sauce and mix to combine. Pour into prepared 9x13 dish.
5. Combine topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the pasta mixture.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the top starts to brown and the edges are bubbly.
7. Allow to set for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Notes

STORAGE:

Store leftovers covered or in an airtight food storage container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 721
Total Fat: 52g
Saturated Fat: 31g
Trans Fat: 2g
Unsaturated Fat: 17g
Cholesterol: 168mg
Sodium: 785mg
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 3g
Protein: 29g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used.