If you’ve got a ranch packet sitting in the cabinet or cupboard (it seems like we always have that, right?!), I’ve got the perfect recipe for you to use it in. Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta is a quick and easy way to use up that packet, and have a lot of delicious flavor in a healthy pasta dish.
Normally a big bowl of pasta with this much flavor will cost you a lot of calories or points. But not my healthy version. One serving is only 7 points, which is perfect for a filling dinner. It’ll save you some points to use on dessert. You get a lot of protein, covered in bacon and ranch flavor - no more boring, dry chicken. And a bed of healthy, whole wheat pasta for some carbs and nutrients. Top the casserole with some freshly chopped parsley (zero points) and it’ll really bring the finishing touches to the dish.
Three reasons why you need to make this recipe!
Bacon and Ranch and Pasta…but in a healthy way - no other reason is needed!
This casserole is filled with one of the best flavor combinations, bacon, and ranch. The two flavors come together to cover the moist chicken, so you’re getting your protein in the most fun way possible. You’re going to love it.
There are 20 grams of protein per serving.
For a lunch or dinner meal, 20 grams of protein is fantastic. You’ll be able to stay satisfied for hours because of the filling protein and high fiber spaghetti.
It’s basically a one pot dish!
You mix everything together in the same dish that you make the pasta in. Then transfer it to a casserole dish. While it’s baking, you can clean the one pot you used to prep the casserole. Super easy to make, and super easy to clean up.
Ingredients you need to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta:
- 164 g whole wheat spaghetti, measured dry
- 8 oz (about 2 cups) shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup 1% low fat milk
- 1 (28 g) package ranch dip powder mix
- 2 oz light cream cheese
- 5 oz light shredded mozzarella cheese (I used Trader Joe's brand, 5oz = 6SP)
- ¼ cup fat free sour cream or nonfat Greek yogurt
- 3 tablespoon real bacon bits crumble or 2 slices of Oscar Mayer Center Cut bacon (same points)
- Green onion for topping which is optional and doesn’t add points.
How to make Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta (step by step):
- Preheat oven to 350F, spray a 9x13 dish with some nonstick cooking spray.
- Boil the pasta till it is cooked then drain and return to pot over low heat.
- Add the chicken, cream cheese, milk, sour cream, ranch mix, and 2 oz of the mozzarella (leave the other 3 oz for topping) to the cooked pasta.
- Stir well till everything is mixed together and the cheese is melted.
- Add the pasta mixture to the casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese, bacon bits, and green onion.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Cut into 6 equal servings. Each serving is approx 7.5 oz.
Makes 6 servings. Nutrition info for 1 serving: Calories 255, Fat 7 g, Saturated fat 3 g, Carbs 27 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Sugars 4.4 g, Sodium 899 mg, Protein 20 g.
WW Points
- Whole wheat spaghetti (measured dry) 13 points
- Shredded cooked chicken 0 points
- 1% low fat milk 4 points
- Ranch dip powder mix 3 points
- Light cream cheese 5 points
- Light shredded mozzarella cheese 13 points
- Fat free sour cream 1 point
- Real bacon bits crumble 2 points
- Green onion 0 points
7 points per serving based on the WW app recipe creator.
If you’re using an older version of WW, check out these points below.
Points- 6
Personal Points- 3-7 depending on your 0PP foods
SP Freestyle- (blue) 6 using WW recipe builder
Smart points- (green) 7 using WW recipe builder
Smart Points- (purple) 3 using WW recipe builder
Points plus- 7 using PP calculator
Different ways to change up this recipe:
- This is such a flavorful recipe, adding veggies to it is a great way to increase the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) without messing with the taste. You can add sauteed mushrooms, chopped broccoli, or even spinach or kale. It’ll still bake up great.
- For a very lightened up version, use cooked spaghetti squash instead of pasta. It’ll lower the points to about 4-5 points per serving.
- If you’re not a fan of cream cheese, you can use non-fat greek yogurt instead. It helps keep the dish creamy without adding extra points.
- Using ground chicken, ground turkey, or extra lean ground beef would work. Any kind of lean meat works well in a casserole.
- For a protein and fiber boost, use Banza pasta. It’s gluten free too!
- If you try the spaghetti squash version, turkey pepperoni and black olives would be a great addition, for a bacon ranch chicken pizza flare.
Tips and Tricks for Making Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta:
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta freezes really well - it’s a casserole after all!
- It’ll keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, so it makes a great meal prep lunch for the work week.
- You can prep the casserole ahead of time, and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake. Baking it is just for the cheese to melt since the chicken and pasta are already cooked, so you can do that right before you’re ready to eat it.
- If you have low point bacon like Oscar Mayer center cut bacon, you can cook 2 slices and use that instead of buying bacon bit crumbles.
- If you don’t have time for it to bake, skip putting it in the casserole dish. Just mix in the rest of the cheese until it melts fully, then divide into six portions. It saves time and dishes!
Similar recipes you’ll enjoy:
- 26 Cheerful Chicken Sausage Recipes
- Ziti vs Penne: Popular Pasta, But What Makes Them Different?
- 24 Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta
Ingredients
- 164 g whole wheat spaghetti measured dry
- 2 cups 8oz shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup milk I used 1%
- 1- 28 g package ranch dip powder mix see picture below
- 2 oz light cream cheese
- 5 oz light shredded mozzarella cheese I used Trader Joe's brand, 5oz = 6SP
- ¼ cup fat free sour cream
- 3 tablespoon real bacon bits crumble
- Green onion optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F, and spray a 9x13 dish with some nonstick cooking spray.
- Boil the pasta till it is cooked then drain and return to pot over low heat.
- Add the chicken, cream cheese, milk, sour cream, ranch mix, and 2 oz of the mozzarella (leave the other 3 oz for topping) to the cooked pasta.
- Stir well till everything is mixed together and the cheese is melted.
- Add the pasta mixture to the casserole dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese, bacon bits, and green onion.
- Cover with foil and bake in the oven for 25 minutes.
- Cut into 6 equal servings. Each serving is approx 7.5 oz.
Jamie
Thank you for all your hard work coming up with these recipes!! I just started WW and made this last night! It was very good! Looking forward to making more of your goodies!
Drizzle
Hi Jamie, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂 and you are very welcome.. Good luck on your journey!
Kim
|I made this last night and it was so good. I added sauteed mushrooms and will probably add broccoli or kale next time. Just to bulk up my serving size! haha The family loved it too! Your recipes are so good.
Drizzle
Hi Kim, awesome, glad the family enjoyed it and I think it's a great dish to bulk up with some veggies 🙂
Teresa
Have you ever replaced the spaghetti noodles with spaghetti squash? You could bring the points down and have the same taste. Downside it won't have the same shape when you take it out of the pan, more gooey casserole like, but I might have to try it. How many points was the noodles? And I love your blog/recipes! Thank you for all you put out, it's a great bridge from old food choices to new ones that taste great!
Drizzle
Hi Teresa, that's a great suggestion for those who like squash (I am not one of those people lol) the pasta added 16SP to the dish 🙂
Amy
This is so easy to make and is super yummy! Even my picky eater loves it.
Drizzle
I am so glad everyone enjoyed it, I get picky eaters (being one myself lol)
Rachel B
This felt like a cheat meal! I can't believe this is only 7SP! You're some kind of cooking wizard!????❤
Drizzle
Haha, so glad you enjoyed it, one of my favs for sure 🙂
Kris
I made this last night - it was amazing!! Everyone loved it. I have made many of your recipes and have loved them all. Thanks!! 🙂
Drizzle
Hi Kris, so glad everyone loved it, it is so yummy!
Deb
How many ozs of spaghetti do you use
Drizzle
Well it is 164g so you could just google that to ounces.. it seems to be about 5.5oz
Kim T
I made this tonight - delicious. I did swap the cream cheese for no fat greek yogurt and it tastes great. I also added fresh mushrooms (because I had them)!
Thanks for all of your recipes - I really appreciate it!
Kim
Drizzle
So glad you enjoyed it Kim, thanks for the yogurt tip, I might try that next time 🙂
Karen
To cut down on salt: no salt cream of chicken can soup, no salt chicken broth, reduced salt cheese, reg salt ranch packet, reg salt bacon and salted water for noodles
Drizzle
Sure, if you are needing to cut back on salt 🙂
Sue
Made this last night. Awesome!!! You hit it out of the park on this one. A new favorite.
Drizzle
Hi Sue, so glad you enjoyed it, I too loved this one 🙂
Sandra
How many oz of spaghetti? Not sure about gram equivalent. Thanks!
Drizzle
Sorry I mesaured in grams as that is what the nutri info on box was based off, if you google grams to ounces I am sure you will find something
Tammie
Kate, Loved this recipe and all of the others you have come up with! I have made several of the bubble ups. I found your recipes at a time when I was really getting tired of the same ol' things. I was just about ready to fall off the wagon when I made the taco bubble up. Tragedy avoided! I'm down 53 lbs with another 40 to lose. Just wanted you to know much you have helped. Staying on track and do not feel deprived. Thank you! Tammie
Drizzle
Hi Tammie, that is fantastic, way to go!! I am so glad you found me and are enjoying the recipes, keep up the great work!! 🙂
Kelly
I have been meaning to try one of her bubble ups what is your favorite?
Drizzle
Hi Kelly.. well I love them all haha but some of my favs are the buffalo chicken & bacon, taco fiesta and chicken enchilada 🙂
Toby
Made this the other night and it is delicious ????. Going to reheat all my leftovers tonight. What can I add so it won't be dried out? Milk? Spaghetti sauce? Thanks! BTW truly love all your recipes!!
Drizzle
So glad you enjoyed it! Maybe add a little ranch to it, or some milk.. Mine did not dry out that much, we had it the following day as leftovers
Sandra Wheeler
Made this the other night, My husband & I enjoyed it,Will add mushrooms & broccoli next time. Also took some leftovers to one of my friends in WW,she also loved it. Been in WW quite awhile & am at a stand still with my weight,still would like to lose alittle more! Thanks to many of your recipes I have found the motivation to stay on track!!Keep up the good work!!
Drizzle
Hi Sandra, I am so glad you all enjoyed it and yes bulking it up with veggies is a great idea 🙂 I hope you continue to find recipes you enjoy and good luck on your WW journey 🙂
Barbara P
I am new to your site and let me just say, I am loving your recipes! I was wondering if this dish could be put together a day in advance and baked off the next day? Would i need to add anything before putting it in the oven? Thanks and cant wait to try other recipes!!
Drizzle
Thanks for your kinds words 🙂 I have never made it the day before but I think it should be ok.. hope you enjoy it!
Diane
Oh my, this was delicious!
Drizzle
One of my favorites! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Tracy J
This was sooo yummy! My 13 and 15 year old asked if this was a healthy recipe - they couldn't tell so it's a keeper. Paired it with the sweet kale salad with mushrooms for a low point we meal. Helped me get back on track after a big point Saturday. Thank you!
Drizzle
I am so glad to hear everyone enjoyed it 🙂
Kathy
what do you consider a serving? 1 cup???
Drizzle
I did give the weight of the serving in the directions, 7.5oz
Liz Bron
this looks great and would definitely fill my craving for pasta. One question though...your recipe says 2 cups of shredded chicken but then it says in brackets 8 0z, which is one cup. can you clarify? is it one cup or two? thanks
Drizzle
hi, yes wet and dry have different weights, 8oz of shredded chicken is 2 cups, 4oz is 1 cup
Lori Baker
I would like to try this recipe. Can I substitute ground chicken or turkey?
Drizzle
Sure I think you could use the ground meat
Kim Hughes
Made this last night, and the family LOVED it. Hubby said it's a keeper, and we'll be making it again. So glad I found your site! So helpful in my Weight Watchers journey.
Drizzle
Hi Kim, yay that's awesome, so glad you all enjoyed it 🙂 Good luck on your continued journey!
Mary
Thank you for another awesome recipe! My entire family enjoyed this last night! I wish there were leftovers for me to have today. I may add peas and mushrooms next time. Your recipes have helped me so much and I really appreciate you!
Drizzle
Hi MAry, thank you so much for your kind words, they mean so much to me 🙂 So glad your family enjoyed the spaghetti bake 🙂
Anne Rasmussen
I made this over the weekend and it was absolutely fantastic! Felt like a cheat meal for sure! Can't wait to try more of your recipes! Thanks for awesome recipes!
Drizzle
You are very welcome Anne, so glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Marcie
I made this tonight and my picky 9-year old even ate it! Haha! I've made several of your bubble-ups and those have been well received as well. Thank you for your awesome recipes! They are not only easy but delicious, too! Oh, and healthy. ?
Drizzle
Hi Marcie, that is awesome, I love when picky kids like the recipes (I have one myself) you are very welcome, and I am so glad you are enjoying all the recipes 🙂
Dawna Lisuzzo
Has anyone made this substituting unsweetened almond milk for 1% milk?
Drizzle
It will work fine and I doubt you'd notice a difference 🙂
Emily D
Where do you get that whole wheat pasta? It looks so good!
Drizzle
Hi Emily, that is a Blue Menu product by President's choice which is a Canadain company and sold in Fortino's, no-frills, superstores anywhere PC products are sold but you might be in the U.S
John
My wife is WW blue. She follows you on Pinterest. She asked me to make this for her. I was able to scale back to 5 points on blue by switching out fat free greek yogurt for light sour cream and using fat free mozzarella cheese. This even with using fettuccine instead of spaghetti (didn't have any). Also recommended cooking chicken breast in insta pot with seasoned water. Then, use the water which is now kind of like broth to cook the pasta. Just keeps the seasoning going.
Drizzle
Hi John, thanks for all your great tips, I hope you both enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Ashley
We made this tonight for the first time and it was delish!! For the first time, we have no leftovers.
Drizzle
Hi Ashley, I am so glad you enjoyed it 🙂