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
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step 2 –Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 3 –In a 6-quart stockpot of salted, boiling water, cook the macaroni to al dente according to the package directions.
Step 4 –Drain the water from the macaroni and return the pasta to the pot.
Step 5 –While the pasta is cooking, in a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat.
Step 6 –Stir the flour, the salt, and the pepper into the butter until it is smooth.
Step 7 –Gradually whisk the milk into the flour mixture.
Step 8 –Bring the mixture to a boil and stir constantly.
Step 9 –Cook the mixture, while stirring, until it has thickened, about 1-2 minutes.
Step 10 –Stir the cheddar cheese, the parmesan cheese, and the Swiss cheese into the mixture until it is blended, then stir in the ranch dressing.
Step 11 –Add the chicken and the cheese sauce to the macaroni and toss to combine.
Step 12 –Transfer to the prepared baking dish.
Step 13 –Toss the breadcrumbs with the remaining melted butter.
Step 14 –Sprinkle the breadcrumbs over top of the macaroni mixture.
Step 15 –Top the macaroni mixture with the bacon.
Step 16 –Bake the macaroni, uncovered, until the topping is golden-brown, about 30-35 minutes.
Step 17 –Garnish the macaroni with the parsley and serve.
