This easy Rotel chicken spaghetti recipe with shredded chicken, Rotel, Velveeta, and cheddar cheese is an easy family meal.
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With 8 servings, this chicken spaghetti casserole is a go-to budget-friendly dish if you're looking to feed a crowd, perfect for Sunday family dinners. This a great recipe for when you have leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken to use up. If you prefer to start with raw chicken breast, try my slow cooker chicken spaghetti.
For busy weeknights, skip the casserole dish and enjoy this pasta casserole straight from the stovetop. This Rotel chicken spaghetti recipe is also easy to customize to your liking. Try the base recipe, then experiment by adding fresh jalapeño or diced green chiles.
For more Rotel, try this Kraft chili mac or this one-pot taco pasta for another pasta dish. For more Velveeta, try this no-boil mac and cheese.
Recipe Highlights
- Simple ingredients: This easy dinner recipe uses pantry staples.
- Family favorite: This cheesy spaghetti is one the whole family will enjoy. With 8 servings, it's perfect for a large family or your next gathering.
- Classic comfort food: Creamy chicken spaghetti is a classic recipe with a creamy sauce and lots of cheese.
"I made enough Rotel chicken spaghetti to feed 30 men. 20 came for the meal, and there were no leftovers. I substituted rotisserie chicken and added pepper jack cheese."
- Ralph, via email
Ingredients
- Spaghetti - Break the spaghetti in half for smaller bites.
- Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies - Rotel tomatoes include chopped green chili peppers. You can use any variety of Rotel such as original or mild.
- Cream of mushroom soup - This is a condensed soup that becomes the base of the cream sauce. You can also use cream of chicken.
- Cheddar cheese - Shredded sharp cheddar.
- Velveeta Original - Cubed.
- Onion powder, garlic powder, salt
- Chicken - shredded chicken
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Break spaghetti in half and boil until al dente, according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
In the large pot, heat the Rotel, cream of mushroom soup, 1 cup shredded cheddar, Velveeta, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt on medium-high until the cheese melts, stirring constantly.
Stir in the shredded cooked chicken breast and cooked spaghetti noodles a little bit at a time. This will help you more evenly coat the chicken and spaghetti in the cheese sauce.
Tip: If your shredded chicken is cooked from scratch, be sure to season with salt and pepper. If you are using a rotisserie chicken, you may not wish to season the chicken.
Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese.
Bake for 25–30 minutes or until heated through. Parts of the cheese will begin to turn golden brown.
Garnish with chives, parsley, or green onions (optional).
Substitutions
- Soup - Instead of cream of mushroom, try cream of chicken soup or even cream of celery soup in a pinch. A condensed cheddar soup would also work well.
- Chicken breast - Shredded chicken thighs or even canned chicken can work in this recipe. You could swap the protein entirely and try with ground beef (cook the meat first).
Storage
Store tightly covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
To make ahead, stop after you sprinkle the shredded cheddar on top. Cover tightly and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Follow the baking step when ready to serve.
To freeze, stop after you sprinkle the shredded cheddar on top. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 4 months. Defrost for 24 hours before baking.
FAQ
Rotel is canned diced tomatoes with water, chopped green chili peppers, salt, citric acid, calcium chloride, natural flavor, and cilantro.
📖 Recipe
Easy Rotel Chicken Spaghetti
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 ounces spaghetti
- 1 can Rotel Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies (10-ounce can)
- 2 cans cream of mushroom soup (10.5 ounce cans)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese divided
- 8 ounces Velveeta Original cubed
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 pounds chicken breast seasoned, cooked, and shredded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350ºF (177ºC). Boil spaghetti in a large pot until al dente, according to package directions (break the noodles in half if desired). Drain and set aside.
- In the large pot, heat the Rotel, cream of mushroom soups, half of the shredded cheddar (1 cup), Velveeta, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt on medium to medium-high heat until the cheese melts, stirring constantly. Turn off the heat.
- Stir in the shredded cooked chicken breast and cooked spaghetti noodles a little bit at a time.
- Pour the mixture into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish. Top with the remaining cheddar cheese. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until heated through.
Notes
Nutrition
Food safety
- Cook chicken to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
More Chicken Dinners
Loved this easy chicken spaghetti recipe? Looking for more chicken recipes? Try some of these comfort food recipes:
Cheryl says
Made a double batch of this last night and it was delicious. Easy and everyone loved it! It is definitely in our weekly rotation now!
Kelsey Smith says
That's wonderful! I love to hear that, Cheryl. Thanks for taking the time to write a review.
Charlie says
It's cooling and waiting to be eaten now, and we are so excited based on the smell alone! 🙂 (I, aka Mom, of course taste tested it but know it will be better after baking!)
So glad you note to incorporate the chx and noodles slowly!
Simple yet delicious, and love how you added "variations" also. I didn't use any, but thank you for that!
I will probably attempt the stuffing casserole next, a friend of mine made some once and I think I can manage 😉
Joan says
Made this before and is always delicious.
Kelsey Smith says
Love to hear it!
Kaye Sellers says
Delicious! Everyone in my family loved the Easy Rotel Chicken Spagetti! Plan to make again today.
Amelia Thompson says
I like spaghetti. Thanks for the recipe.