Comfort in a Casserole Dish: The Soul of Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Rediscover comfort food at its finest with this rich, cheesy chicken and broccoli pasta bake. A creamy mushroom sauce wraps around tender pasta, golden chicken, and bright green broccoli — finished with a bubbly mozzarella topping. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy nights in.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (250 g) pasta (penne or fusilli works best)
- 1 head broccoli (about 2 cups florets)
- 2 chicken fillets (about 400 g), diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter (for frying)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 8 mushrooms (about 200 g), sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups (500 ml) cream (heavy or cooking cream)
- 3 oz (90 g) Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon olive oil (for greasing baking dish)
- 1 small package (150 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 bunch fresh parsley (about 2 tablespoons, chopped)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta & Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente. In the last 2 minutes, add the broccoli florets. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables: In the same pan, sauté onions until soft and translucent. Add mushrooms and garlic; cook until tender and fragrant.
- Make Cream Sauce: Return chicken to the pan. Pour in the cream, add nutmeg and Parmesan cheese. Simmer for 3–4 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Combine: Stir in the drained pasta and broccoli. Toss to coat everything well in the creamy sauce.
- Assemble Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with olive oil. Transfer the pasta mixture into the dish and spread evenly.
- Top & Bake: Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- Cook pasta just until al dente, since it will cook more in the oven.
- Freshly grated cheese melts better and adds richer flavor.
- For extra crunch, top with breadcrumbs before baking.
- This bake can be assembled ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Leftovers keep well for up to 4 days in the refrigerator and can be frozen.