This Monterey Chicken Spaghetti is a hearty, comforting casserole packed with creamy, cheesy goodness and finished with a golden, crunchy topping. It’s the perfect way to bring a crowd-pleasing dish to the table with minimal fuss—ideal for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or anytime you’re craving a cozy baked pasta meal.
To start, preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set it aside.
Next, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 ounces of dried spaghetti and cook it according to the package instructions until it’s al dente—tender but still slightly firm to the bite. Drain the spaghetti and set it aside while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of chopped, cooked chicken with a 16-ounce container of sour cream and two 10.5-ounce cans of unsalted cream of chicken soup. To this mixture, add one 10-ounce package of frozen spinach that’s been thawed and thoroughly drained. Make sure to squeeze out as much moisture as possible from the spinach to avoid a watery casserole. Stir in 1 cup of shredded Monterey Jack cheese, two minced garlic cloves, and half of a 6-ounce can of French’s French Fried Onions. Mix everything together until it’s fully combined.
Once your mixture is ready, add the cooked spaghetti and gently fold it in, making sure the noodles are evenly coated and the ingredients are well distributed. Pour the entire mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Now it’s time for the topping. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese over the casserole, then scatter the rest of the French Fried Onions on top. These will bake up beautifully crisp and golden, adding the perfect crunch to contrast the creamy pasta beneath.
Place the baking dish uncovered into the preheated oven and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. The casserole should be hot and bubbling, and the fried onions should be golden brown and crisp. Once it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. This resting time helps the casserole set up slightly, making it easier to scoop and serve.
This recipe makes about 8 generous servings and takes around 15 minutes to prep, with a total cook time of about 50 minutes. All in all, you’ll have this comforting, cheesy Monterey Chicken Spaghetti on the table in just over an hour—warm, satisfying, and guaranteed to be a hit.