Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake (Printer-friendly)
Tender chicken, broccoli and pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce, topped with melted mozzarella for a cozy weeknight meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Protein & Vegetables
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
02 - 3 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped
→ Pasta
03 - 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
→ Alfredo Sauce
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 cups heavy cream
07 - 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - Pinch ground nutmeg (optional)
→ Topping
11 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
12 - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until just al dente, about 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until bright green and just tender. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
04 - In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until aromatic.
05 - Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Whisk in 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese until sauce is velvety and thick. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
06 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced chicken, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are coated.
07 - Transfer pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese over the top.
08 - Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
09 - Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- This is one of those meals that tastes even better reheated–almost as if the flavors get friendlier overnight.
- The crispy, golden cheese on top is basically irresistible, so nobody leaves the table hungry.
02 -
- If the broccoli is overcooked before baking, it disappears into the sauce instead of giving you those satisfying bites.
- Letting the casserole sit for a few minutes after baking keeps the sauce from running out everywhere–it&apost easy to rush when the smell is this good.
03 -
- Mixing everything while the pasta and broccoli are still warm helps the sauce coat every bite evenly.
- Reserving a little pasta water can save the day if the bake seems dry before going in the oven.