Creamy Chicken Cheese and Macaroni Bake

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is essential as it allows the oven to reach optimal cooking temperature, ensuring your bake cooks evenly.

While your oven warms up, cook your macaroni in a large pot of salted boiling water for about 8-10 minutes until it's al dente. Although the packet instructions may say otherwise, slightly undercooked pasta stands up better in the oven and doesn't turn mushy.

While the pasta is cooking, sauté your chicken in a separate pan until it's lightly golden. The browning adds additional flavor, and it's one of those delightful tricks I've learned to elevate the dish.

After the pasta and chicken are properly prepared, you should drain the pasta and combine it with the chicken, cream of mushroom soup, and milk in a large mixing bowl. Season this with salt and pepper to your taste. This is the base of your bake, and mixing it all together ensures each bite's flavors are well-distributed.

Pour the mixture into a baking dish and generously sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs over the top. The breadcrumbs give a crispy texture that complements the creamy pasta perfectly.

Place your dish in the preheated oven and let it bake for roughly 25-30 minutes. You're looking for a golden-brown top. Here's a personal tip: rotate your dish halfway through the baking process for an evenly browned top.

Once done, let it sit for a few minutes before serving. It's always best served warm. Enjoy!