Loaded Bacon Ranch Mac and Cheese Casserole

Ingredients

• 2 boxes white Cheddar macaroni and cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 0.75 cups milk
• 0.5 cups sour cream
• 4 ounces Cheddar cheese , shredded
• 1 tablespoon dry ranch dressing mix
• 2 cups cooked chicken
• 1 12 ounce) package broccoli florets
• 8 slices bacon
• 0.5 cups green onions
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 0.25 teaspoons ground black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Lightly grease a casserole dish.

2. 2

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook just until al dente, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain; return macaroni to the pot.

3. 3

   Stir in cream cheese, 4 tablespoons butter, milk, and powdered cheese packets included in mac and cheese box until well combined. Stir in sour cream, 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese, and ranch mix until combined. Add in chicken, broccoli, and bacon. Reserve 2 tablespoons green onions and stir in remaining green onions. Pour mixture into a lightly greased casserole dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

4. 4

   Melt remaining butter and add to a small bowl with panko and pepper. Stir to combine and sprinkle mixture evenly over casserole.

5. 5

   Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and lightly browned, 20 to 25 minutes. Sprinkle with reserved green onions.