Connoisseur Casserole Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast (preferably rotisserie for flavor and convenience)
• 1 cup finely chopped mushrooms (cremini or button)
• 1 cup diced yellow onions
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 2 cups fresh spinach leaves, roughly chopped
• 1 ½ cups cooked elbow macaroni or penne pasta
• 1 ½ cups shredded Gruyère cheese (for a nutty, creamy texture)
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional for mild heat)
• ½ cup toasted walnuts or pecans (for crunch and richness)
• ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (bright acidity)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (extra umami)
• ½ cup cooked bacon bits (smoky complexity)