Spook Tacular Smoked Casserole Halloween
Get ready to wow your guests this Halloween with the "Spook Tacular Smoked Casserole Halloween," a festive and flavorful twist on comfort food that's as spooky as it is satisfying! This creamy, cheese-loaded casserole features tender pasta shells, smoky gouda, sharp cheddar, and the velvety richness of butternut squash, all tied together with a luscious homemade cheese sauce. Shredded rotisserie chicken and a touch of chipotle seasoning add savory depth, while a golden panko crust provides irresistible crunch. Add a playful Halloween touch by decorating the casserole with green olive "eyeballs" and red bell pepper "slashes" for a frightful yet fun presentation. Perfectly baked and garnished with fresh parsley, this dish is a showstopping main course for your spooky celebrations and sure to have everyone coming back for seconds!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz uncooked pasta shells (large)
- 3 cups butternut squash (peeled, seeded, diced)
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1.5 cups smoked gouda cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 cup whole milk
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp chipotle seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.75 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp parsley (chopped, for garnish)
- 10 pieces green olives (for decoration, optional)
- 1 piece red bell pepper (cut into thin strips for decoration, optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish lightly with olive oil or nonstick spray.
Cook the pasta shells according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until bubbling and golden brown to create a roux.
Gradually whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream until smooth. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken.
Stir in the smoked gouda cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, chipotle seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is creamy. Remove from heat.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced butternut squash, shredded chicken, and cheese sauce. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
In a small bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs with olive oil. Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the casserole is bubbling.
Optional: Decorate the top of the casserole with green olives to mimic 'eyeballs' and red bell pepper strips for a spooky effect.
Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
4362 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 230.2 g | 295% | |
| Saturated Fat | 117.7 g | 588% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 777 mg | 259% | |
| Sodium | 8003 mg | 348% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 381.6 g | 139% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 31.2 g | 111% | |
| Total Sugars | 30.6 g | ||
| Protein | 203.8 g | 408% | |
| Vitamin D | 1.5 mcg | 8% | |
| Calcium | 2391 mg | 184% | |
| Iron | 17.5 mg | 97% | |
| Potassium | 3877 mg | 82% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
