Double-Duty Macaroni

Time :45 minutes
Yield :8 servings

Recipe Background

Looking to double the fun? Try this Double-Duty Macaroni and your family will be thanking you until the cows come home! The creamy goodness of this ranch and chicken combo will have them saddling up for more. So, get all your partners together and sit for a spell to enjoy the ooey, gooey cheesiness of this Double-Duty Macaroni. Lasso-up some of these yeehaw-good morsels and corral some good times tonight!
Looking to double the fun? Try this Double-Duty Macaroni and your family will be thanking you until the cows come home! The creamy goodness of this ranch and chicken combo will have them saddling up for more. So, get all your partners together and sit for a spell to enjoy the ooey, gooey cheesiness of this Double-Duty Macaroni. Lasso-up some of these yeehaw-good morsels and corral some good times tonight!

Ingredients

For the macaroni:

  • 3 cups elbow macaroni uncooked
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup 2% milk
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup Swiss cheese shredded
  • 3/4 cup ranch salad dressing
  • 1 cup chicken cooked and coarsely chopped

For the topping:

  • 1/3 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons butter melted
  • 10 bacon strips cooked and crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley minced

Directions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • In a 6-quart stockpot of salted, boiling water, cook the macaroni to al dente according to the package directions.
  • Drain the water from the macaroni and return the pasta to the pot.
  • While the pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat.
  • Stir the flour, the salt, and the pepper into the butter until it is smooth.
  • Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil and stir constantly.
  • Cook the mixture, while stirring, until it has thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
  • Stir the cheddar cheese, the parmesan cheese, and the Swiss cheese into the mixture until it is blended, then stir in the ranch dressing.
  • Add the chicken and the cheese sauce to the macaroni and toss to combine.
  • Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
  • Toss the breadcrumbs with the remaining melted butter.
  • Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over top of the macaroni mixture.
  • Top the macaroni mixture with the bacon.
  • Bake the macaroni, uncovered, until the topping is golden-brown, about 30-35 minutes.
  • Garnish the macaroni with the parsley and serve.
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