A creamy, cheesy pasta casserole that brings together tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a luxurious Alfredo sauce—baked to bubbly perfection. I love how comforting and satisfying this dish is, yet it comes together with simple, wholesome ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I adore this recipe because it delivers big flavor without a ton of fuss. It’s all cooked in one dish, making cleanup easy. The combo of chicken, broccoli, and gooey cheese never fails to please—especially on chilly weeknights. Plus, it’s picky-eater friendly and makes great leftovers.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, farfalle, etc.)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 lb fresh broccoli)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or cooked breasts), shredded or chopped
- 15 oz jar Alfredo sauce (or homemade equivalent)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 1 minute less than package directions. Two minutes before it’s done, drop in the broccoli. Drain and transfer both to a 9×13‑inch casserole dish.
- Stir in the chicken, Alfredo sauce, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly coated.
- Smooth the mixture into an even layer, then sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15–20 minutes until hot and bubbly. For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Serve immediately.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes about 6 generous servings.
- Prep time: ~10 minutes
- Cook time: ~20–30 minutes
- Total time: ~30–40 minutes
Variations
- Pasta Shape: Use rigatoni, farfalle, or ziti for variety.
- Broccoli Type: Frozen works too—add it straight into boiling pasta for a minute.
- Chicken Options: Swap rotisserie for diced and seasoned baked chicken.
- Sauce Style: Use homemade Alfredo (cream, butter, Parmesan) for richer flavor.
- Extra Flavor: Stir in garlic powder or crushed red pepper flakes before baking.
Storage/Reheating
- Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3–4 days.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop over low heat or microwave in short intervals; add a splash of sauce or milk if it seems dry.
- Freezing: Not recommended—dairy may separate after thawing.
FAQs
### Can I use homemade Alfredo sauce?
Absolutely—I often whip up my own with butter, cream, garlic, and Parmesan; it adds even more flavor than jarred.
### What type of chicken works best?
I often use rotisserie chicken for convenience, but baked or grilled chicken breasts chopped into pieces work beautifully too.
### Can I make this ahead?
Yes! I sometimes assemble it, cover and refrigerate for up to a day, then bake when ready—just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it’s cold.
### Is this freezer-friendly?
You can freeze the unbaked casserole. Assemble it, wrap it tightly, freeze, then thaw overnight and bake as directed—bake time may need to be slightly extended.
### What else pairs well with this bake?
I like serving it with garlic bread or a crisp green salad. Roasted or steamed veggies also make great sides.
Conclusion
I hope this Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake becomes a go‑to in your kitchen—it’s creamy, comforting, and crowd-pleasing. I love that it’s easy enough for busy weekdays, yet special enough for dinner with friends. Enjoy every cheesy, saucy bite!
Print
Irresistible Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Bake
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20–30 minutes
- Total Time: 30–40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Halal
Description
A creamy, cheesy pasta casserole featuring tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and rich Alfredo sauce, baked to bubbly perfection—perfect for comforting weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta (penne, rigatoni, farfalle, etc.)
- 4 cups broccoli florets (about 1 lb fresh broccoli)
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or cooked breasts), shredded or chopped
- 15 oz jar Alfredo sauce (or homemade equivalent)
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 °F (190 °C).
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 1 minute less than package directions. Two minutes before it’s done, drop in the broccoli. Drain and transfer both to a 9×13‑inch casserole dish.
- Stir in the chicken, Alfredo sauce, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until everything is evenly coated.
- Smooth the mixture into an even layer, then sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top.
- Bake, uncovered, for 15–20 minutes until hot and bubbly. For a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes, watching carefully.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use any pasta shape you like—rigatoni, farfalle, or ziti work great.
- Frozen broccoli can be used; just boil it with pasta for a minute.
- Homemade Alfredo sauce enhances flavor significantly.
- Store leftovers for up to 4 days in the fridge.
- Freezing is possible before baking, but texture may change slightly after thawing.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 790mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 90mg