🍲 My Cheap & Lazy Chicken Noodle Casserole
Serves 4 | Prep: 10 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: ~30 min
🛒 Ingredients
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 can (10.5 oz) cream of celery soup (or swap for another flavor)
2 cans (12.5 oz each) chicken, drained (rotisserie chicken works too!)
1 package (16 oz) frozen mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn, green beans)
8 oz (about 2 cups) egg noodles, uncooked
Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, or poultry seasoning to taste
Optional boosts:
Splash of milk or broth for creamier texture
Grated Parmesan cheese on top
Dash of hot sauce or lemon juice for brightness
🧈 Pro Tip: Use full-fat soups for extra richness — this is comfort food, not diet food!
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Noodles
In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook egg noodles according to package instructions until al dente.
Drain and set aside.
2️⃣ Combine Everything
In the same pot (save dishes!), add:
Cream of chicken, mushroom, and celery soups
Drained canned chicken
Frozen vegetables
3️⃣ Heat Through
Stir well and cook over medium heat for 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until:
Vegetables are tender
Mixture is hot and bubbly
Soup has thickened slightly
🔥 No need to pre-cook veggies — they thaw and cook right in the sauce!
4️⃣ Add Noodles & Season
Stir in cooked noodles.
Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and herbs.
Add a splash of milk or broth if it feels too thick.
5️⃣ Serve & Enjoy
Ladle into bowls while steaming hot.
Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan or a dash of hot sauce if you're feeling fancy.
🍽️ Serving Idea: Pair with buttered toast, saltine crackers, or a simple side salad.
🌈 Variations & Pro Hacks
🌱 Vegetarian? Swap chicken for chickpeas or white beans; use vegan cream soups
🍗 Rotisserie Chicken Upgrade: Use 2 cups shredded leftover chicken — better flavor!
🥬 Fresh Veggies? Sauté onions, celery, or mushrooms first for depth
🧊 Make-Ahead Magic: Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days — reheats beautifully on stove or microwave
❄️ Freeze It? Yes! Cool completely, freeze in portions, reheat with a splash of broth
🧀 Extra Cheesy? Stir in cheddar, Swiss, or cream cheese at the end
🧠 Why This Tastes So Good (Even Though It’s Lazy)
The triple soup combo creates a rich, velvety base with layers of savory flavor — no roux, no stock, no stress. And because everything simmers together, the flavors meld into one cohesive, soul-warming dish.
It’s the culinary equivalent of a weighted blanket: heavy on comfort, light on effort.
❤️ Final Thought: Sometimes, “Good Enough” Is Actually Perfect
You don’t need fresh herbs, handmade pasta, or a five-star recipe to have a good meal. Sometimes, all you need is a few cans, some noodles, and the willingness to feed yourself with kindness.
This casserole won’t win awards.
But it will fill your belly, warm your hands, and remind you that you’re worth the effort — even when you’re running on empty.
So tonight, embrace the lazy. Turn on the stove. And know that dinner is not only possible…
It’s already done. 💛