This creamy, dreamy baked spaghetti is tossed in a cheesy BBQ sauce with shredded chicken and crispy bacon—an easy, flavorful meal ready in under an hour.
Thank you to Vons for sponsoring this post!
I spend most of my days in one of two places: the kitchen or the grocery store. As a food blogger, both feel like home. Sometimes I head into the store with a clear list and get in and out quickly; other times I wander the aisles looking for inspiration. That’s exactly how this recipe started.
On this trip I focused on Vons’ Signature line—products I keep in my pantry and fridge all the time. With thousands of items available, the Signature range makes it easy to build simple, satisfying meals without fuss. I picked up Signature Kitchens Original BBQ Sauce, Signature SELECT bacon, a package of spaghetti, and a few cheeses. Back at home, those ingredients inspired a new comfort-food recipe: baked spaghetti with BBQ chicken and bacon.
The dish layers creamy, tangy BBQ flavor into a cheesy sauce, tosses it with tender shredded chicken and spaghetti, then bakes it topped with crispy bacon and melty mozzarella. It’s indulgent without being complicated and comes together quickly enough for a weeknight dinner.
Baked Spaghetti with BBQ Chicken & Bacon Ingredients
- 6 slices hickory-smoked thick-sliced bacon
- 1 (16 oz) package spaghetti noodles
- 8 oz cream cheese, cubed
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup Original BBQ sauce
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded (divided)
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Arrange the bacon on a wire rack set over a baking sheet and bake 20–25 minutes, or until crisp. Remove bacon, drain on paper towels, and crumble when cool enough to handle.
- While the bacon bakes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook about 9 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- To make the sauce, heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the cream cheese and chicken broth, whisking as it warms. Bring to a gentle simmer and whisk until the cream cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and BBQ sauce. Add 1 cup of the shredded mozzarella and stir continuously until the cheese melts into the sauce and it becomes creamy.
- Combine the cooked spaghetti, shredded chicken, and the creamy BBQ sauce in the pot (or in a large bowl) until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the top with the crumbled bacon and the remaining ½ cup mozzarella cheese.
- Bake in the preheated oven 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top is lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro if desired, then serve warm.
Tips, Variations, and Serving Suggestions
- Make the chicken ahead: roast, poach, or pressure-cook the chicken breasts and shred them to save time the day you assemble the dish.
- Swap proteins: use shredded rotisserie chicken, pulled pork, or even a smoky sausage for a different flavor profile.
- Adjust the BBQ flavor: choose a sweeter or spicier BBQ sauce to match your taste, or add a splash of hot sauce for heat.
- Cheese options: a blend of mozzarella and cheddar adds extra depth; fontina or Monterey Jack also melt well.
- Make it lighter: use reduced-fat cream cheese and part-skim mozzarella, and reduce the amount of bacon or use a leaner ham alternative.
- Storage and reheating: refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave individual portions until hot.
Nutrition Snapshot (Per Serving)
Approximate values per serving: 819 calories, 80 g carbohydrates, 40 g protein, 37 g fat, 1598 mg sodium. Nutrition varies by exact ingredients and portion sizes.
This baked spaghetti balances creamy, cheesy comfort with the tang and sweetness of BBQ sauce, finished with crisp bacon for texture. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy enough for weeknights but flavorful enough for casual dinner guests. Give it a try and make it your own with the variations above!
