Quick Cheesy Chicken Fusilli Casserole with Crispy Bacon

This cheesy chicken fusilli casserole is creamy, rich, and unapologetically comforting. It’s loaded with tender chicken, crispy bacon, twisty fusilli pasta that grabs onto sauce like a champ, and a silky cheese sauce that pulls everything together without being fussy.

This is one of those easy, low-thinking dinners that feels indulgent but doesn’t ask much of you. Perfect for nights when you’re hungry now and patience is running thin.

Did you say you want some CHEESE??

So I just want to point out a pretty important point : Believe it when I say that this dish will make the cheese lovers’ hearts of this world beat stronger. Just like my Cheesy Bacon Gnocchi Hugs recipe, if you like cheese, you’ll love this dish.

One of the best things about this dinner is that it’s so easy to make, you can put it together in less than 30 minutes, and it’s amazing on the taste buds. Ok, so that’s 3 things, but they’re all worth mentioning!

✅ Why This Chicken Fusilli Casserole Works

• Creamy without being gloopy
• Uses leftover or rotisserie chicken (bless)
• Bacon adds salty crunch without taking over
• Fusilli = maximum sauce clinging (important)
• Ready fast, reheats well, freezes beautifully

It’s cozy, forgiving, and very much a rushing-rushing-hurry-up kind of meal.

🧀 Ingredients You’ll Need (and Easy Swaps)

Here’s the core lineup with flexible options so you can make it work with what’s already in your fridge.

• Cooked chicken – rotisserie chicken is ideal, but leftover roast or poached chicken works great.
• Fusilli pasta – any short pasta works (penne, rotini, shells… use what ya got)
• Bacon – crispy is key here (soft bacon can get a bit… meh).
  
• Heavy cream – creates that lush, silky sauce
  👉 swap with half & half for lighter, or evaporated milk in a pinch
• Parsley – totally optional, zero judgement if you skip it.
• Italian cheese blend – easy and reliable.
  👉 swap in mozzarella + cheddar, or add a bit of parm for bite.
• Garlic powder + onion powder – simple but effective
• Cornstarch + water – quick thickener, no roux stress

Please refer to the printable recipe card below for exact amounts, detailed instructions, and helpful tips to make this recipe perfect every time.

🍗 How to Make This Cheesy Chicken Bacon Pasta Casserole

1. Heat the cream gently in a saucepan.
2. Add the cornstarch slurry to the cream.
3. Bring to a low boil.
4. Stir in half the cheese until smooth.
5. Season.
6. Meanwhile, boil fusilli and drain.
7. Combine pasta, sauce, chicken, remaining cheese, and bacon.
8. Transfer and broil briefly until melty and bubbly.
9. Finish with parsley if you’re feeling fancy (or not).

That’s it. Dinner = handled.

✅ Helpful Tips (So It Turns Out Right Every Time)

• Use really crispy bacon: undercooked bacon can make the dish greasy
• Don’t over-boil the pasta: you want it just tender
• Taste the sauce before combining: adjust salt then, not later
• Broil briefly: you’re melting cheese, not drying things out
• Let it rest 5 minutes: the sauce thickens as it sits

This dish is very forgving, which we love in a weeknight meal!

🔄 Easy Variations (Make It Yours)

Want to switch it up? Here’s some simple ideas:

• Different protein: turkey bacon, leftover ham, or even rotisserie turkey
• Veg boost: add peas, broccoli, or sautéed mushrooms
• Extra cheesy: use a 3-cheese combo (mozza, cheddar, parm)
• Smoky vibe: swap regular bacon for pancetta
• Spicy kick: pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce

❄️ Make-Ahead & Freezer Notes

• Assemble fully, freeze before baking.
• Thaw overnight and broil when ready.
• Leftovers reheat beautifully… perfect for next-day lunches.

This is one of those meals that loves a second act.

🧡 A Quick Note About My Grandma

My grandmother used to mutter “rushing, rushing, hurry up” whenever she was trying to get dinner on the table fast – kinda half talking to herself, half to the food.

This cheesy chicken bacon pasta casserole is a riff on a dish she would make: quick, filling, and guaranteed to quiet everyone down once they started eating. It’s not fancy.

And honestly… those are the best recipes.

I hope you try this chicken pasta casserole with your family. It’s so versatile and after making it a few times, you’ll put a few twists on the recipe that make it totally yours!