Name: Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces rotini pasta; 3 cups broccoli florets (cut into bite-size pieces); 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup chopped yellow onion; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth; 1 ½ cups whole milk; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¾ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon pepper; 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken breast; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces, divided)

If you’re craving comfort food that feels like a warm hug, you’ve got to try this Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe. It’s creamy, cheesy, and packed with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli all tossed with perfectly cooked rotini pasta. Trust me, once you make this, you’ll find yourself going back for seconds—and your family will thank you too!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Ingredients: Familiar pantry staples come together beautifully for a fuss-free meal.
Healthy Comfort: Loads of broccoli add nutrition and freshness without sacrificing that cozy vibe.
Family Favorite: This casserole wins over kids and adults alike every single time.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prepping with easy storage.

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a serving of rotini pasta mixed with chunks of cooked chicken, bright green broccoli florets, and melted yellow cheese drizzled unevenly over the top. The pasta spirals are pale cream and slightly glossy, nestled closely with tender pieces of chicken and small green broccoli heads, all lightly sprinkled with small bits of fresh green herbs. A silver fork rests partially on the right edge of the plate, with its tines touching some pasta. There is a gray cloth napkin in the lower right corner and a partial view of another white plate and a glass baking dish in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli, easy chicken pasta bake, cheesy chicken casserole, healthy broccoli pasta dish, family-friendly comfort food

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe is in its balance—the creamy sauce, hearty chicken, tender pasta, and crisp broccoli all play their part perfectly. Here’s a quick rundown so you can shop smart and prep like a pro.

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked rotini pasta spirals, fresh bright green broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces, three glossy unsalted butter cubes, a small mound of finely chopped yellow onion, a small heap of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale golden chicken broth, another small white ceramic bowl holding creamy whole milk, a tiny white ceramic bowl with mixed Italian seasoning herbs, a separate tiny white ceramic bowl containing fine garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse salt crystals, another small white ceramic bowl with ground black pepper, bite-size pieces of cooked chicken breast arranged naturally, and a neat pile of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli, easy chicken pasta bake, cheesy chicken casserole, healthy broccoli pasta dish, family-friendly comfort food

Rotini pasta: Spiral shapes hold onto the sauce really well, plus they cook up tender without mushiness.
Broccoli florets: Bite-size pieces add a nice crunch and pop of green that brightens up the dish.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted lets you control the seasoning better for a balanced flavor.
Yellow onion: Adds sweetness and depth when sautéed—don’t skip this layer!
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the creamy sauce to that perfect casserole consistency.
Low sodium chicken broth: Keeps the dish flavorful without overpowering saltiness.
Whole milk: For richness and creaminess in the sauce.
Italian seasoning: A blend that brings herbs like oregano and basil into the dish effortlessly.
Garlic powder: Easy way to add savory punch and warmth.
Salt and pepper: Season to taste for balanced flavor.
Cooked chicken breast: I usually use leftover rotisserie chicken for great flavor and convenience.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar melts beautifully and gives this casserole its signature gooey top.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I love making this Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe my own by swapping ingredients based on what I have on hand or how I’m feeling. Feel free to get creative and tailor it to your own taste buds!

Use different cheese: Sometimes I swap cheddar for mozzarella or a mix with Monterey Jack for a milder, creamier dish—it’s just as tasty!
Swap the pasta: Penne or shells work great if you don’t have rotini, and whole wheat pasta adds a nuttier flavor and more fiber.
Add mushrooms or bell peppers: For extra veggies and a little more color and texture, perfect for a veggie boost.
Dairy-free option: I’ve tested this with almond milk and a vegan cheese substitute; just expect a slightly different texture but still super satisfying.

How to Make Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe

Step 1: Cook the Pasta and Broccoli Together

Start by heating a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook it according to the package directions until it’s just al dente—usually around 8 minutes. Now here’s a trick I discovered: toss in your broccoli florets during the last 2 minutes of cooking. This way, they steam up just enough to be tender but still retain that satisfying bite. Once done, drain everything and rinse quickly with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep those vibrant greens looking fresh.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Sauce

While your pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. When it’s fully melted, add the chopped yellow onion. Cook it until soft and fragrant—usually about 4 to 5 minutes. This step really builds flavor, so don’t rush it. Next, stir in the flour and whisk continuously for about 30 seconds; this cooks out the raw flour taste and thickens your sauce later.

Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk until the mixture is smooth. Add the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Keep whisking and cooking for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a nice creamy consistency. If it gets too thick, you can always add a splash more broth or milk to loosen it up.

Step 3: Combine and Bake Your Casserole

Take your skillet off the heat and stir in the cooked chicken breast, drained pasta, broccoli, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix gently but thoroughly so everything is evenly coated with that luscious sauce. Transfer this mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish, spreading it into an even layer.

Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake in your preheated 375°F oven for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 5 minutes to let the cheese get bubbly and golden. Keep your eye on it—no one likes a burnt cheese topping!

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe

Don’t Overcook the Pasta: I always cook the pasta al dente because it continues to cook in the oven, and overcooking leads to mushy casserole.
Control Broccoli Texture: Adding broccoli during the last 2 minutes of pasta cooking keeps it crisp-tender, which adds a nice contrast to the creamy casserole.
Use Room Temperature Ingredients: Let the milk and cooked chicken come to room temp before mixing in to avoid shocking the sauce and curdling.
Cover While Baking: Covering the casserole for most of the baking locks in moisture; uncover just at the end to get a bubbly golden cheese crust.

How to Serve Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe

A white plate holds a serving of pasta made with spiral-shaped noodles mixed with chunks of light-colored cooked chicken and small, bright green broccoli florets, all coated in a creamy light yellow cheese sauce with a slightly shiny texture; the dish is placed on a white marbled surface next to a partially visible glass baking dish filled with more pasta, a small bunch of fresh parsley with deep green leaves, and a folded light gray cloth napkin holding three metal forks. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli, easy chicken pasta bake, cheesy chicken casserole, healthy broccoli pasta dish, family-friendly comfort food

Garnishes

I usually top my casserole with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or scallions for color and a pop of freshness. A little drizzle of hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon juice can brighten the flavors too—totally optional, but it adds a nice zing!

Side Dishes

This casserole is hearty on its own, but if you’re feeling fancy, a crisp green salad or some warm garlic bread on the side really rounds out the meal. I also love serving it with roasted root vegetables for extra comfort vibes.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve made individual casserole cups using muffin tins—perfect for potlucks or kid-friendly portions. You can even sprinkle some panko breadcrumbs mixed with parmesan on top for an extra crunchy topping that wins rave reviews.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I let the casserole cool completely before transferring leftovers to an airtight container. Stored in the fridge, it stays fresh for about 3-4 days. Reheating is easy and keeps the flavors intact.

Freezing

This Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe freezes beautifully. After baking and cooling, I portion it into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready, let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop leftovers into the oven at 350°F, covered with foil to prevent drying out, for about 20 minutes, or until heated through. You can also microwave individual servings covered with a damp paper towel to keep moisture locked in.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this casserole?

Absolutely! While rotini works great because it holds sauce well, you can use penne, shells, or even elbow macaroni. Just cook the pasta al dente to avoid it getting mushy after baking.
Is it necessary to pre-cook the chicken?

Yes. The recipe calls for cooked chicken breast because it’s combined later with the sauce and baked briefly. Using pre-cooked chicken, like from a rotisserie, saves time and ensures the chicken stays moist.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?

Yes! You can swap the butter for a dairy-free margarine, use a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and choose a dairy-free cheese alternative. The texture will be a little different but still tasty.
How long can I store leftovers?

Leftovers keep well in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. For best flavor and texture, reheat within this time frame.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Chicken Pasta Casserole with Broccoli Recipe comes together so easily yet feels special enough for any night of the week. When I first tried this, it quickly became a go-to meal because it’s comforting, nutritious, and delicious all at once. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—grab your ingredients, get cozy in the kitchen, and treat yourself to this hearty, cheesy dish. Your future self (and your hungry family) will thank you!