I have a criteria for recipes that I cook. They have to be easy, quick, delicious, and they can’t cost an arm and a leg. Like most folks these day, I’ve always had to watch the budget. This casserole with chicken and noodles definitely fits the bill.
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Jump to RecipeThis recipe has been in my family since I was about five years old. My mom got it from our neighbor across the alley (thank you Karmen B.!) and it was our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. I’m not sure what it was called originally, but it got renamed in our family because of when Mom always served it.
Now, I have to admit that I tend to play around and “tweak” recipes. The nice thing about this recipe is that it’s a very basic, and mild, casserole as is.
I’ve changed things up a lot at different times depending on what particular ingredients I’ve had around. I’ve used Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Chicken, and a combination of the cream soups.
Whatever combination, it always tastes good. I’ve even substituted a can of diced green chilies for the celery.
The original recipe called for chopped green pepper, chopped red pepper, and diced pimento. When the kids were younger I didn’t always add the bell peppers because they would pick them out.
However, as they’ve grown up and are less picky, I include the peppers again and I love the color they add. In fact, the green and red chunks in the casserole is probably what originally prompted my mom to serve it to us that first Christmas Eve (and it does give the dish a little oomph so it’s great to add if it suits your family’s taste).
Our love for the dish was what kept her serving it every year thereafter. At our house, it just wasn’t Christmas without this dish on the table.
Recipe For Christmas Eve Casserole
Christmas Eve Casserole: Chicken with Noodles & Cheese
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breast, cooked and cubed you can substitute canned chicken
- 2 12-ounce bags wide egg noodles cooked, drain most of the water
- 3 large stalks celery diced
- 2 cans Cream of Celery Soup best substitutions are Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom
- 2 pounds Velveeta cheese, cubed you can use less if you prefer a less cheesy dish
- 1/2 medium onion chopped (optional)
- 1/2 large green bell pepper chopped
- 1/2 large red bell pepper chopped (you can substitute a small jar of pimentos)
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook and cube chicken breasts unless using canned.
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If cooking your own chicken, reserve the broth that comes from cooking and add this to the water to cook the pasta – if adds good flavor.
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Cook egg noodles according to package. When done to desired firmness drain most of liquid – leave about 1 cup of liquid to help melt cheeses and soups.
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Add cheese to hot noodles and stir to begin melting.
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Add remaining ingredients and stir together until well combined.
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Bake in preheated oven for approximately 50 minutes till cheese is thoroughly melted and casserole is hot all the way through.
As you can see from the instructions, I’ve played around with this casserole a lot through the years. The great thing is that there really isn’t any way to mess it up. As long as you stick with the basics of chicken, noodles, cheese, and some cream soups, you’ll always come out with something that tastes good.
Does your family have a special food that’s always served at Christmas?
More delicious recipes to check out before you leave:
If you’ve got to take a dish to your mother-in-law’s house or to a potluck dinner these casserole and slow cooker carriers will help keep your dish from turning into a mess or spilling while it’s in transit. You can click the link or the photo to check them out.
More delicious recipes to try:
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You had me at Velveeta Cheese! I don’t eat it much but hey what better reason to indulge then “it’s Christmas!.” Saving this for easy Christmas dinner next year.
I have to admit that my family LOVES cheese! When my hubby married me he said that my family would eat anything if you just put cheese on top (his family didn’t). Now he’s a huge cheese lover!
Hi Shelley, it is always difficult to know what to do for Christmas Eve as Christmas Day is usually a foodfest! This recipe looks delicious and easy to make. Thanks for sharing with us at Over the Moon Link Up. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful 2017. Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond
Thanks Sue! I wish you and your family the same. Thanks for being a great co-hostess – I am learning so much from all of you and am honored to be part of the group. Merry Christmas!
What a special memory, and what a gift to us to be able to share this with you!
As far as our christmas eve dinner, my grandmother alway said a chicken casserole that had a white gravy, I have the recipe but no title for a unique name to give you any better descriptor. This was served with “roll-y” peas and a mushroom/rice blend. 🙂 Always on the finest of china, for our very large family! 🙂
It was something we always looked forward to so it is a nice memory. My own kids, though, request my lasagne every year for Christmas so I’ve had to start serving this sometime right around Christmas instead of Christmas Eve. Guess I’m going to have to rename the recipe!
I could certainly see my family enjoying this with some modification – would have to swap out the Velveeta stuff. 😀 Sounds warm and comforting!
I have to admit that my mom had lots of casserole recipes that called for Velveeta. I’m curious how you’d modify it – I’m always tweaking recipes.
Sounds delicious! I’ll have to give it a try!
I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think.
yum! definitely going to try this for Christmas 🙂 thanks for sharing