Description

A comforting and easy-to-make one-dish casserole combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and pasta in a rich, creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or make-ahead meals, this cheesy chicken broccoli pasta bake is kid-approved, freezer-friendly, and endlessly customizable.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb Rotini or Fusilli pasta
1 lb diced chicken breast or thighs (or rotisserie chicken)
1 large crown of broccoli, cut into small florets
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
5 garlic cloves, minced
5–6 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 (12 oz) can evaporated milk
2/3 cup half-and-half
2 tsp dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
2 cups grated cheese (sharp cheddar + colby jack, divided)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook pasta to al dente and set aside.
Sauté diced chicken in 2-3 tbsp olive oil until fully cooked; set aside and tent with foil.
In the same pan, add more olive oil and cook sliced onions for 4 min. Add garlic and cook 30 sec.
Stir in flour to form a roux; cook for 1 min. Slowly whisk in chicken stock, evaporated milk, half-and-half, mustard, salt, and pepper. Simmer until thickened.
Reduce heat and stir in 1 cup grated cheese until melted.
In a 9×13 dish, combine pasta, broccoli, and chicken. Pour cheese sauce over and toss well.
Bake uncovered for 15 min. Add remaining cheese on top and bake 10 min more.
Let rest 5 min before serving.

Notes

Don’t rinse your pasta after boiling; the starch helps sauce cling better.
Fresh broccoli is preferred for best texture.
Let sauce cool slightly before adding cheese to avoid grainy texture.
You can swap chicken with turkey, ham, or a vegetarian protein alternative.
Freezes well unbaked – just thaw and bake as directed.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
Calories: 545
Sugar: 5g
Sodium: 570mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 12g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 46g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 36g
Cholesterol: 95mg

Keywords: chicken pasta casserole, creamy broccoli bake, cheesy chicken bake, rotisserie chicken pasta, kid-friendly dinner, chicken and broccoli dinner, easy pasta bake, one-pan casserole