Why You’ll Love This Crazy Good Casserole
Everyone needs a go-to comfort food recipe in their arsenal, and this Crazy Good Casserole definitely lives up to its name.
I’m obsessed with how it combines tender shredded chicken, perfectly cooked egg noodles, and creamy sauce into one irresistible dish.
What makes it truly special? The combination of sour cream and cream of chicken soup creates a velvety base, while the cheddar cheese and turkey bacon add savory depth that’ll have you coming back for seconds.
The best part? It’s incredibly versatile.
Busy weeknight? Sunday dinner? Potluck contribution? This casserole delivers every time.
What Ingredients are in Crazy Good Casserole?
This Crazy Good Casserole truly lives up to its name with a perfect balance of protein, carbs, and creamy goodness. The ingredients work together to create a comfort food masterpiece that’s both filling and flavorful.
I love how the combination of chicken and bacon provides that savory depth while the cheese and sour cream bring richness to every bite.
- 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 2 large chicken breasts)
- 2 cups uncooked egg noodles
- 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- ½ cup crumbled cooked turkey bacon (about 6 slices)
- ½ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
When shopping for these ingredients, quality matters for the best flavor. You can use rotisserie chicken to save time, or cook and shred your own chicken breasts.
Regular bacon works perfectly if you don’t have turkey bacon on hand. And while the recipe calls for cheddar cheese, feel free to experiment with your favorite melty cheeses—a combination of cheddar and monterey jack creates an amazing flavor profile that might become your new favorite variation.
How to Make This Crazy Good Casserole
Making this casserole is surprisingly straightforward, which is why it’s become one of my weeknight heroes. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish—this prep step saves you from scrambling later when your hands are covered in cheesy goodness.
Next, cook 2 cups of egg noodles in salted water until they’re just al dente. Remember, they’ll continue cooking in the oven, so slightly firm is perfect—nobody wants mushy noodles in their casserole, right?
While the noodles are cooking, you can prep your creamy sauce base by whisking together one 10.5 oz can of cream of chicken soup, 1 cup of sour cream, ½ cup of milk, and all those flavor-boosting seasonings (½ teaspoon each of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and ¼ teaspoon salt). The sauce should be smooth and uniform—this is where all that comforting flavor comes from.
The assembly is where magic happens. Combine your cooked noodles, 3 cups of shredded chicken, half of the 1½ cups of cheddar cheese, and half of the ½ cup of crumbled turkey bacon into your sauce mixture. Gently fold everything together until well-coated, then transfer this mixture to your prepared baking dish.
Top with the remaining cheese and bacon—this creates that irresistible golden, crispy top layer that everyone fights over. Bake until bubbly and golden, then sprinkle with those optional 2 tablespoons of green onions for a fresh pop of color and flavor.
The hardest part? Waiting for it to cool just enough so you don’t burn your mouth on the first delicious bite.
Crazy Good Casserole Substitutions and Variations
While the original Crazy Good Casserole recipe creates pure comfort food magic, don’t feel locked into following it exactly as written.
I’ve made this countless times with rotisserie chicken when I’m short on time, and it’s still delicious.
You can swap the egg noodles for pasta shells or penne, or try cream of mushroom soup instead of chicken.
Vegetarians might enjoy using chickpeas and veggie bacon. No sour cream? Greek yogurt works beautifully.
For flavor variations, try adding frozen peas, sautéed mushrooms, or diced bell peppers.
Sometimes I add a dash of hot sauce when I’m craving a little kick.
What to Serve with Crazy Good Casserole
Because Crazy Good Casserole serves as a hearty main dish, I like to pair it with lighter sides that balance its creamy richness.
A simple green salad with vinaigrette cuts through the casserole’s decadence perfectly. My go-to is arugula with lemon dressing and shaved parmesan.
Roasted vegetables are another fantastic option – brussels sprouts or broccoli develop wonderful caramelized edges in a hot oven.
Garlic bread? Always a crowd-pleaser, though perhaps gilding the lily a bit.
For a complete meal that won’t leave everyone in a food coma, fresh fruit makes a revitalizing dessert finale.
Final Thoughts
After enjoying this Crazy Good Casserole countless times with my family, I’m convinced it deserves a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
It’s the perfect balance of creamy, savory comfort with just enough crunch from that turkey bacon topping.
What I love most is how versatile it is—dress it up for company or keep it casual for a weeknight.
The leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) taste even better the next day.
Crazy Good Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook egg noodles in salted water until al dente. They'll continue cooking in the oven, so slightly firm is perfect.
- While noodles are cooking, prepare the creamy sauce base by whisking together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt until smooth.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked noodles, shredded chicken, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the crumbled turkey bacon into the sauce mixture. Fold everything together until well-coated.
- Transfer the mixture to your prepared baking dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bacon.
- Bake until bubbly and golden, about 25-30 minutes.
- Sprinkle with chopped green onions for garnish, if desired.
- Allow to cool slightly before serving.
