This pasta with delicious cheese sauce, lots of broccoli, and pieces of chicken is a hearty meal that will fill you up and put a smile on your face.
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When it comes to comfort food, there's nothing like a nice bowl of pasta with cheesy sauce. Add tender chicken and fresh broccoli, and you will have a meal the whole family will love.
This delicious casserole is a great weeknight recipe for when you're short on time. Our easy shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken and steamable broccoli from the grocery store make great shortcuts to get dinner on the table in about 30 minutes!
Want to make this but are out of cream of chicken soup? No problem at all! Use our easy-peasy Cream Soup Substitute for any can of cream soup that a recipe calls for. It's so quick and simple that you'll never return to the canned stuff again.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make this yummy (and easy!) casserole dish with broccoli and chicken:
- Broccoli Florets: Frozen broccoli makes this super quick to throw together. You can blanche it in the pasta water, or steam it in the microwave. Instead of broccoli, add a small bag of mixed veggies with corn, carrots, peas, or green beans. You can also use a mixture of steamed cauliflower and broccoli.
- Spaghetti: For this broccoli pasta recipe, the spaghetti should be cooked before it goes into the oven. You could also use angel hair or linguine. Substitute gluten-free pasta if you prefer. Veggie or whole wheat pasta make this yummy dinner recipe a bit healthier.
- Chicken: I like to use grocery store rotisserie chicken or homemade shredded chicken. Instead of using shredded chicken, leftover chopped chicken breasts or chicken thighs will also work.
- Butter: For cooking the onions and garlic.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic adds the best flavor.
- Onion: You can use either a sweet onion or yellow onion, finely diced.
- Cream Soup: I like to use homemade cream of chicken soup, however store-bought canned soup works as well.
- Milk: This adds body to the sauce. For an extra decadent addition to the creamy sauce, use a bit of heavy cream in place of 1 cup of milk.
- Cream Cheese: Adds body to the sauce along with creaminess and a bit of a tangy flavor.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Freshly grated mozzarella will melt better than pre-shredded from the grocery store. If you like, substitute other good melting cheeses like Colby, swiss, muenster, provolone, or fontina.
Seasonings
Garlic powder, onion powder, dried basil OR dried thyme, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
Optional Ingredients
- Parmesan Cheese: Add a sprinkle of grated parmesan cheese to the top of the casserole before baking.
- Red Pepper Flake: Add a pinch to the cream sauce for a little hint of heat.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish with chopped fresh basil or parsley for a little freshness (plus it looks pretty!)
This is meant to be a brief overview of the Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
Ang's Tips
- Drain any liquid from the pasta and broccoli before mixing it with the cheese sauce.
- If the sauce is too thick, whisk in a dash or two of chicken broth.
- Do not overbake the casserole, or the broccoli and spaghetti will become mushy.
Storage
To Store: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. (These are my favorite airtight containers.)
To Reheat: The best way to reheat this is in a skillet over low heat. Add a splash of milk while gently tossing the spaghetti mixture around to warm through.
I do not recommend freezing this casserole.
Related: Casseroles Using Cream of Chicken Soup
Serving Suggestions
This easy chicken broccoli bake is really a whole meal by itself, but you could serve it with a side salad or garlic cheese bombs.
Here are a few of my favorite veggie sides to serve with this meal:
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts (with or without cranberries)
- Super easy Honey Glazed Baby Carrots
- Lightly sauteed Garlic Green Beans with Cowboy Butter
Similar Recipes
Next time, try one of these delicious recipes:
Related: Sausage and Potato Casserole
Not ready to make this chicken broccoli casserole recipe yet?
Don’t forget to pin the recipe for later! When you do make it, please come back and comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Creamy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake
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Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. spaghetti
- 1 10.8oz. bag of broccoli florets such as BirdsEye Steamfresh
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 tablespoons butter
- 3 large garlic cloves minced
- ½ cup yellow onion diced fine
- 1 10.5oz. can of cream soup, or 2 cups homemade Cream Soup Substitute
- 1-½ cups milk
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil OR dried thyme
- Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
- 4 oz. cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1-½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350-degrees F.
- Lightly grease a 9x13 baking dish.
- Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the package, drain and set aside.1 8 oz. spaghetti
- Steam the broccoli according to the instructions on the package, drain any excess water.1 10.8oz. bag of broccoli florets
- Add the broccoli and the shredded chicken to the pasta; set aside.2 cups shredded chicken
- In a large skillet, melt the butter.1 tablespoons butter
- Add the onions and cook for about 4 minutes on low until translucent.½ cup yellow onion
- Then, add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.3 large garlic cloves
- Whisk in the cream of chicken soup, flour, and milk.1 10.5oz. can of cream soup, or 2 cups homemade Cream Soup Substitute, 1-½ cups milk, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Sprinkle in the garlic powder, onion powder, and dried basil OR dried thyme.½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried basil OR dried thyme
- Season with salt, and pepper.Kosher salt and fresh black pepper
- Mix in the cream cheese until it is melted into the sauce.4 oz. cream cheese
- Next, sprinkle in 1 cup of cheese and stir until combined.1-½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- When the cheese is melted, pour it over the cooked spaghetti, shredded chicken, and steamed broccoli.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with remaining ½ cup of shredded cheese.1-½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese on top is melted.
Equipment
- Large stock pot
Nutrition
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- Chicken Pasta Bake - great recipe for using up a rotisserie chicken. Comes together fast!
- Monterey Casserole - spaghetti, loads of Monterey jack cheese, and French-fried onions make this a delicious side dish or meatless meal.
- Cheesy Hamburger Casserole - pasta, ground beef, and plenty of cheese in a delicious sauce, it's a kid favorite!
- Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Casserole - topped with flaky biscuits, this casserole is ready in under an hour.
- Chicken Stuffing Bake - such a yummy meal idea for chicken or turkey and perfect for using those turkey leftovers after Thanksgiving, too.
- Creamy Chicken Noodle Casserole - with egg noodles, veggies, and tender chicken in a creamy sauce.
- Chicken Hashbrown Casserole - ranch seasoning makes this chicken and shredded potato casserole sing!
Danielle says
I couldn't believe my daughter ate this broccoli pasta! I cut the broccoli really small hoping she would, but she's such a pick eater. I will be making this again because it was so creamy and good and easy!!!!
Madison says
I added a frozen vegetable mix with green beans, carrots, and corn to this instead of broccoli. It was good but I also want to try it with broccoli next time.
Linda says
Easy and so good!