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This chicken broccoli pasta bake is my favorite easy casserole! No boiling needed - just dump and bake and in an hour you have a cheesy, creamy dinner your whole family will love. With two types of cheese!
Here's a list of 5 of my favorite things (in no particular order because otherwise cheese would of course be #1):
- Chicken
- Broccoli
- Cheese
- Easy dinners
- Bringing my own lunch
And now you know why I love this recipe. It's full of flavor from two types of cheese, with broccoli hiding beneath all that cheesy creaminess - not to mention, I can dump it all in a pan, stick it in the oven, and do something else for an hour while it cooks.
And after you've had your dinner and you're settling in on the couch to watch some Netflix - you know you have an amazing lunch waiting for you tomorrow. Yes, this is one of those dishes that reheats really well - and is even better the next day.
Looking for something similar, but that cooks quicker? Then try this baked tortellini casserole with spinach. Or if you're craving seafood - a Baked Seafood Pasta is always a good idea.
Or if you're just looking for a slightly different flavor - try this Chicken Spinach Dump-And-Bake Pasta instead.
Why you will love this recipe
- Just dump and bake - you don't even need to cook the pasta. And if cooking the chicken is too much work - you can just make it with rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken instead.
- Two types of cheese - one for flavor, one for texture - makes this a cheese lover's dream.
- Lots of broccoli so you get a healthy dose of veggies with all that cheese and pasta.
- Easy to reheat and even more delicious the day after which makes it perfect to bring along for lunch or to a potluck.
How to make this recipe
To make this pasta bake you first need to decide on which route you will take with the chicken. You really have three options:
- Follow the instructions for pan-fried chicken in the recipe card below
- Use store-bought rotisserie chicken
- Put your leftover chicken to good use
Now if you go with #1, then start by cooking the chicken.
Then, whichever type of chicken you decide to use, chop your broccoli and parsley and bring out the rest of the ingredients. Also bring out an approximately 20x25 cm or 8x10'' oven dish with high edges, and set your oven for 200 C or 400 F.
Then butter your oven dish before adding in the uncooked pasta, cooked chicken and chopped broccoli.
Follow with chopped parsley, whole garlic cloves that have been peeled and slightly crushed with the edge of a knife, and half of both types of cheese.
Mix it all well, and then add the rest of the cheeses on top.
Pour over the cream and milk, and make sure all pieces of pasta are fully submerged in the liquid. Place in the oven, and bake for 1 hour, or until the pasta is cooked through.
Expert tips
- Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid so it cooks well.
- You can make this with whatever cheese you like but, for the best result go for one flavorful and one that melts really well. For me - this means parmesan & mozzarella.
- If you don't feel like cooking the chicken, substitute it for store-bought rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken.
- Prep it the day before - and when you get home from work, just stick it in the oven and have dinner ready in about an hour.
Frequently asked questions
How long will it keep in the fridge?
This pasta bake will keep for up to five days in the fridge.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, this dish is perfect to freeze.
Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake
Print Pin RateIngredients
Pan fried chicken
- 1 lb chicken preferably thigh filets, cut in bite-size pieces
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon paprika powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ½ lb dry penne pasta uncooked
- 1 lb chicken pan fried, or otherwise cooked
- ½ lb broccoli chopped
- 2 garlic cloves peeled and crushed, but in one piece
- 2 tablespoon parsley fresh or frozen, chopped
- 1 cup neutral cheese for example mozzarella, shredded
- 1 cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 2 cups cream heavy cream, cooking cream or half n half
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
Pan fried chicken (skip if using leftover or rotisserie chicken)
- Place a frying pan over medium-high heat and add in the butter. When the pan is hot and the butter melted, add in the chicken pieces. Season with paprika powder, onion powder, salt and pepper and mix well to spread out the seasonings. Fry for about 2 minutes per side, until the chicken has nice color. It does not have to be cooked all the way through at this stage as it will finish cooking in the oven.
Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake
- Set the oven for 200°C / 400°F.
- Bring out a deep oven dish that measures about 20x25 cm or 8x10''. Using a piece of paper, spread the butter all over the inside of the dish.
- Place the uncooked penne pasta in the oven dish. Follow with the cooked chicken, including any leftover fat from frying. Then add in the chopped broccoli, garlic cloves, parsley and half of both the shredded neutral cheese and the shredded parmesan.
- Pour over the cream and the milk, and top with the remaining cheese. Make sure all pieces of pasta are completely submerged.
- Place in middle of the oven and cook for about 1 hour, until the pasta is cooked through. Then bring out and serve immediately.
Equipment needed for this recipe
Notes
Expert tips
- Make sure the pasta is fully submerged in the liquid so it cooks well.
- You can make this with whatever cheese you like but, for the best result go for one flavorful and one that melts really well. For me - this means parmesan & mozzarella.
- If you don't feel like cooking the chicken, substitute it for store-bought rotisserie chicken or any leftover chicken.
- Prep it the day before - and when you get home from work, just stick it in the oven and have dinner ready in about an hour.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is approximate and automatically calculated, and should only be viewed as an indication.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe - please let me know what you think! Either leave a comment or a rating below - or why not both?!
/Emmeline
Linda Lorenzo
I like the idea of this but it was bland, needed more seasoning.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Linda! Sorry to hear that. Did you cook the chicken with the spices or use leftover chicken?
Linda Lorenzo
I had rotisserie chicken which I sprinkled with dry ranch seasoning.
Emmeline Kemperyd
The pan fried chicken is pretty heavily seasoned, which is why no extra seasoning is added later. So it might be that you added too little seasoning - or our tastes are just different 🙂
Catherine
Hi, what part of the recipe is supposed to thicken the sauce? After cooking, mine is still watery. What do you think I did wrong?
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi Catherine! The starch from the pasta should thicken the sauce. Mine can usually have a bit of liquid but that settles once it has time to sit for a while. I haven't had it come out watery though. Did you use frozen broccoli perhaps? /Emmeline
BJ
I like the receipe- but wish it was in lbs and ounce
Emmeline Kemperyd
Hi! Happy to hear you like it! You might have already found it, but if you click the link that says "US Customary" under the list of ingredients you will get the measurements in lbs, ounces and cups instead. /Emmeline
Jacqueline Piper
who doesn't love extra cheese, right? Such an easy prep meal, perfect for a busy day!
Emmeline Kemperyd
Never met someone who doesn't! 🙂
Dannii
I love dump and bake recipes - perfect for those busy week days.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Same here - and somehow all week days get so busy!
Emily Liao
This is one of my all tim favorite meals to make on a weekday! So easy and bursting with flavors.
Emmeline Kemperyd
Thank you Emily so happy to hear that!
Sarah
Love a good dump and bake recipe! This will be great to take for lunch this week.
Emmeline Kemperyd
I think you will be very happy with your lunch this week, Sarah! Thanks for commenting!
Angela Allison
Nothing better than a dump and bake dinner! My family loved this dish. And I love that the veggies are already in it so no side dish necessary! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Emmeline Kemperyd
So happy to hear that, Angela! And yeah I'm far too lazy to bring along separate veggies for my lunch so I have to have it all in one dish 😉