When the garden is running full tilt and the day has been long, a simple baked noodle supper like this feels just right. This Amish-inspired chipotle cheddar noodle bake leans on pantry convenience with jarred cheese sauce, uncooked egg noodles, and a few sturdy ingredients that come together in the oven with very little fuss. It has that practical country-cooking spirit so many of us grew up with, where supper needed to be hearty, thrifty, and dependable, but this version brings along a little smoky chipotle kick for a newer twist.
Serve this bubbling noodle bake with sliced garden tomatoes, buttered green beans, cucumber salad, or a simple lettuce salad with a tangy dressing to balance the richness. If you want to stretch the meal for hungry folks, set out warm dinner rolls, stewed corn, or a dish of fruit on the side, and a glass of iced tea fits right in on a summer table.
Oven Baked 4-Ingredient Amish Chipotle Cheddar Noodles
Servings: 6
Ingredients
12 ounces uncooked egg noodles
15 ounces jarred chipotle cheddar cheese sauce
2 cups cooked shredded chicken
2 cups milk
Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan.
2. Spread the uncooked egg noodles evenly in the prepared baking pan. Scatter the shredded chicken over the noodles.
3. Spoon the chipotle cheddar cheese sauce over the top as evenly as you can, then pour the milk over everything. Gently nudge the noodles down with the back of a spoon so they are mostly covered by the liquid.
4. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
5. Remove the foil, stir well to loosen the noodles, and bake 10 to 15 minutes more, until the noodles are tender and the top is hot and bubbly. If the pan seems dry before the noodles are soft, add a small splash of milk.
6. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving so the sauce can settle and the noodles can finish absorbing the flavor.
Variations & Tips
For a milder casserole: If you are feeding folks who do not care for much heat, stir the jarred chipotle cheddar sauce together with an extra 1/2 cup milk before adding it to the pan. That softens the smoky spice and gives the noodles a creamier finish.
Add a vegetable: A cup or two of thawed peas, sautéed onions, or steamed broccoli can be tucked in with the chicken to make this a fuller one-pan supper without much extra work.
Watch the liquid: Different brands of egg noodles can drink up more or less milk. Check the pan when you remove the foil. If the noodles still look firm and the pan is nearly dry, another splash of milk will help them finish baking tender.
Make-ahead note: You can assemble the casserole a few hours ahead and refrigerate it covered. Before baking, let it sit on the counter while the oven heats so the pan does not go in ice-cold.
Top it off: If you want a more golden top, sprinkle on a small handful of shredded cheddar during the last 10 minutes of baking. It is not necessary, but it surely makes for a pretty supper dish.