This creamy, dreamy Baked Spaghetti recipe is tossed in a cheesy, BBQ sauce with shredded chicken & crispy bacon for a delicious meal made in under an hour!
Thank you to Vons for sponsoring this post!
Creamy Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken & Crispy Bacon: Your New Favorite Weeknight Meal
Welcome, food lovers! If you’re anything like me, your days often revolve around two key locations: the kitchen, where culinary magic happens, and the grocery store, where all great recipes begin. As a passionate food blogger, this cycle is not just a routine, but a constant source of inspiration and joy. Today, I’m thrilled to share a recipe that perfectly blends comfort, flavor, and convenience, made possible through my exciting partnership with Vons.
Some days, my grocery store visits are highly efficient. I navigate the aisles of my local Vons with an almost uncanny familiarity, grabbing exactly what I need without a second glance. I often joke that if “Supermarket Sweep” were still on air, I’d undoubtedly be a champion! But then there are those other days – the best kind, really – when I simply wander, letting the vibrant displays and diverse product lines spark new culinary ideas. It’s during these moments of creative exploration that true recipe inspiration often strikes.
Discovering Inspiration with Vons Signature Products
This particular recipe journey began with a focus on Vons’ incredible Signature line of products. This extensive collection, boasting over 4,000 items, is a staple in my kitchen. From pantry essentials like pasta and condiments to everyday delights like coffee and cereals, the Signature line offers an exceptional balance of quality and value, making it easy to whip up delicious meals without breaking the bank. I was eager to handpick several items from this versatile range to craft a dish that was both simple to make and bursting with flavor.
My first destination was the condiment aisle, where I sought out the Signature Kitchens® Original BBQ Sauce. For me, BBQ sauce instantly evokes memories of warm spring days and sunny summer gatherings. As a child, it was my go-to condiment, adorning everything from chicken nuggets to homemade fries. Its smoky, tangy sweetness is a flavor profile I adore, and I knew it would form the heart of something truly special. Next, it was a quick detour to the meat department to secure a package of Signature SELECT™ Bacon. Because let’s be honest, bacon and BBQ are a match made in culinary heaven – a combination that truly elevates any dish!
To complete my shopping cart, I made a stop in the dairy aisle for a selection of cheeses – because what’s a baked pasta dish without plenty of gooey, melted cheese? Finally, I swung by the pasta aisle, picking up several varieties of Signature Pasta, though for this particular creation, classic spaghetti was calling my name. Back in my kitchen, with all these fantastic Vons Signature ingredients at hand, the vision for this Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken and Bacon truly came to life. And let me tell you, the resulting flavor is absolutely out-of-this-world!
Why This BBQ Chicken Baked Spaghetti Will Be Your New Favorite
Imagine tender spaghetti strands coated in a rich, creamy, and wonderfully cheesy BBQ sauce. Now, picture that sauce generously mixed with succulent, shredded chicken, all nestled in a baking dish. Finally, envision a glorious topping of crisp, crumbled bacon and a blanket of melted mozzarella cheese, baked to golden perfection. That’s exactly what this dish delivers, and it’s nothing short of O-M-G delicious!
This isn’t just another pasta bake; it’s a symphony of textures and flavors that will delight your taste buds. The unexpected fusion of classic Italian spaghetti with the bold, smoky notes of BBQ chicken and the irresistible crunch of bacon creates a truly unique and satisfying meal. It’s hearty, comforting, and incredibly satisfying – the kind of dish that makes everyone gather around the dinner table with anticipation. I could genuinely see this Baked Spaghetti recipe becoming a regular fixture in my weekly dinner rotation, and I’m confident it will in yours too!
Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken & Bacon: The Essentials
Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to culinary success. This recipe features a blend of everyday staples and delightful Vons Signature products to create its irresistible flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to make this incredible baked spaghetti:
- 6 slices Signature Farms Uncured Hickory Smoked Thick Sliced Bacon
- 1 (16 oz) package Signature Kitchens Spaghetti Noodles
- 8 oz cream cheese (cubed) – for that irresistible creaminess!
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup Signature Kitchens Original BBQ Sauce – the star of our sauce!
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese (shredded) – divided
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts (boiled or pressure cooked & shredded) – for quick prep, you can also use rotisserie chicken.
Step-by-Step Instructions for the Perfect Baked Spaghetti
Follow these simple steps to bring this amazing BBQ Chicken Baked Spaghetti to your table in under an hour. Get ready for a dish that’s surprisingly easy yet incredibly satisfying!
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures your bacon gets perfectly crisp and your spaghetti bake browns beautifully.
- Prepare the bacon: Lay the bacon slices on a wire rack set on top of a baking sheet. Place them in the preheated oven and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness. Baking bacon is a fantastic way to achieve even crispness with minimal mess!
- While the bacon cooks, bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Adding salt to your pasta water ensures the spaghetti itself is seasoned from the inside out.
- Add the Signature Kitchens Spaghetti Noodles to the boiling water and cook for 9 minutes, or according to package directions for al dente. Drain the spaghetti thoroughly and set it aside.
- Next, prepare the luscious BBQ cream sauce: Place a large pot or Dutch oven on your stovetop over medium heat.
- Add the cubed cream cheese and chicken broth to the pot. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then whisk continuously until the cream cheese has fully melted and the sauce is wonderfully smooth and lump-free.
- Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and the star of the show, Signature Kitchens Original BBQ Sauce. Mix well to combine all the flavors.
- Add one cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese to the sauce. Continue to stir continuously until the cheese has completely melted, creating a rich, glossy, and undeniably cheesy sauce.
- Once your bacon is cooked to crispy perfection, remove it from the oven and drain any excess grease. Crumble the bacon into small pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, the pre-cooked and shredded chicken breasts, and the creamy, cheesy BBQ sauce. Toss everything together gently until the spaghetti and chicken are thoroughly coated in the sauce.
- Transfer this glorious mixture into a 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Spread it evenly to ensure every bite is delicious.
- Sprinkle the crispy, crumbled bacon evenly over the top of the spaghetti mixture, then follow with the remaining ½ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted, and the dish is heated through.
- Carefully remove from the oven. For a touch of freshness and color, sprinkle with a little fresh chopped parsley or cilantro, if desired. Now, grab a big giant fork and dig in to this comforting masterpiece!
Tips for the Best Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken & Bacon
To ensure your baked spaghetti turns out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:
- Chicken Prep: For convenience, boil or pressure cook chicken breasts ahead of time. Alternatively, a store-bought rotisserie chicken works wonderfully and cuts down on prep time even further. Just shred and you’re good to go!
- Bacon Crispness: For extra crispy bacon, ensure it’s in a single layer on the wire rack and cook until it’s deeply golden and brittle. Patting it dry after draining grease can also help maintain crispness.
- Creamy Sauce: Whisk the cream cheese and chicken broth thoroughly to prevent any lumps. A smooth sauce is key to coating the spaghetti evenly and delivering that creamy texture.
- Cheese Choice: While mozzarella is classic, feel free to experiment with other melting cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend for different flavor profiles.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble this dish up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, you might need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.
Serving Suggestions and Variations
This Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken and Bacon is a complete meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with a few simple sides:
- A fresh, crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette provides a refreshing contrast to the rich pasta.
- Garlic bread or cheesy breadsticks are perfect for soaking up any leftover sauce.
- Steamed green beans or roasted broccoli make for a wholesome vegetable accompaniment.
Feeling adventurous? Here are some ideas to customize this recipe:
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce for a subtle kick, or a dash of hot sauce if you prefer more heat.
- Different BBQ Sauce: Explore different varieties of BBQ sauce – smoky, sweet, spicy, or even a Carolina gold style – to change the flavor profile.
- Add Veggies: Sautéed bell peppers and onions or corn kernels can be mixed into the spaghetti for added nutrition and texture.
- Pork Option: Instead of chicken, try using shredded cooked pork shoulder (pulled pork) for a different take on the BBQ flavor.
If you’re always on the hunt for more delicious and easy weeknight pasta recipes, you have to check out these five favorites from my kitchen!
- Buffalo Chicken Cheesy Penne
- One Pot Tuscan Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- Taco Baked Ziti
- Italian Sausage Shells & Cheese
- One Pot Buffalo Taco Spaghetti
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Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken & Bacon
6
people
30
15
45
Whitney Bond
Main Course
American, Italian
Ingredients
-
6
slices
hickory smoked thick sliced bacon -
16
oz
package spaghetti noodles -
8
oz
cream cheese,
cubed -
2
cups
chicken broth -
1
tsp
onion powder -
1
tsp
garlic powder -
½
tsp
black pepper -
½
tsp
kosher salt -
1
cup
BBQ sauce -
1 ½
cups
mozzarella cheese,
shredded – divided -
1
lb
boneless, skinless chicken breasts
,
cooked & shredded
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
-
Place the bacon on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until crisp.
-
In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
-
Add the spaghetti and cook for 9 minutes. Drain and set aside.
-
To prepare the sauce, place a large pot on the stovetop over medium heat.
-
Add the cream cheese and chicken broth, bring to a simmer and whisk until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
-
Add the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper and BBQ sauce, combine well, then add one cup mozzarella cheese.
-
Stir continuously until the cheese has melted into the sauce.
-
Once the bacon is cooked and crispy, remove and drain any grease, then crumble.
-
Combine the cooked spaghetti, cooked and shredded chicken breasts and creamy, cheesy BBQ sauce.
-
Transfer to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
-
Top with the crispy, crumbled bacon and remaining ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese.
-
Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (approximate for 6 servings):
- Calories: 819 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 80g
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Cholesterol: 136mg
- Sodium: 1598mg
- Potassium: 772mg
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 19g
- Vitamin A: 840mg
- Vitamin C: 7mg
- Calcium: 220mg
- Iron: 2mg
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