Bacon Chicken Ranch Pasta Bake

Firstly, preheat your oven to a high temperature of 350 degrees Fahrenheit (or 175 degrees Celsius for those using metric measurements).

To prepare the baking dish, give it a light coating of cooking spray to prevent food from sticking.

Next, fill a large pot with water and add a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil, then cook bow-tie pasta according to package instructions until it's tender but still retains a bit of firmness, approximately 12 minutes.

Simultaneously, heat butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Combine it with cream cheese and ranch seasoning; whisk until the mixture is smooth and free of lumps. Gradually add milk while continuously whisking, then stir in Monterey Jack cheese until it's fully incorporated and the sauce has thickened to your liking, taking about 5-10 minutes.

Add 6 strips of crispy bacon to the saucepan and stir until well combined.

Meanwhile, combine cooked pasta with your choice of protein - in this case, chicken - in a large bowl. Pour the creamy sauce over the pasta mixture and stir until everything is well combined; transfer it to your prepared baking dish.

Finally, sprinkle a layer of Cheddar Jack cheese on top and crumble the remaining 2 strips of bacon over it.

Place your dish in the preheated oven and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, approximately 20 minutes.