This Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ultimate weeknight comfort food. Tender chicken, crisp broccoli, and perfectly cooked pasta are smothered in a creamy, cheesy sauce and topped with a golden, crunchy breadcrumb layer. Quick to prepare, hearty, and family‑friendly, it's a meal that everyone will love.
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A Quick Look At The Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
🕒 Ready In: 35 minutes
👪 Serves: 5
🍽 Calories: 684
🥣 Main Ingredients: Chicken Breasts, Broccoli, Pasta, Cheddar Cheese
📖 Dietary Info: High protein, freezer friendly
👌 Difficulty: Moderately Easy
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My kids are obsessed with pasta bakes - there's something irresistible about a dish of gooey, cheesy pasta that feels like a warm hug, especially on those dark, chilly evenings.
This chicken pasta bake with broccoli is the perfect way to feed a hungry family or simply enjoy a cosy night in with a hearty meal.
Love chicken pasta dishes? Try my chicken fajita pasta bake, chicken pesto pasta, and paprika chicken pasta next!
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✔️ Why should you try it?
- Quick and fuss-free - perfect for busy weeknights.
- A guaranteed crowd-pleaser for family or friends.
- Packed with protein.
- Easily customised with your favourite herbs, spices, or veggies.
- Warm, cheesy, and comforting.
🥘 Ingredients
A full ingredients list along with Metric and US Customary measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
Penne Pasta - holds cheese sauces well, perfect for pasta bakes.
Chicken Breasts - 1 large breast, cut into small chunks.
Bacon - smoked rashers add depth of flavour.
Garlic - enhances the overall flavour.
Broccoli - adds texture and boosts nutrition.
Butter - forms the base of the cheese sauce.
Flour - thickens the sauce.
Milk - semi-skimmed is perfect for a lighter sauce.
Cheese - extra mature cheddar, grated for the best flavour.
Pesto - adds a fresh, herby boost to the sauce.
Dijon Mustard - intensifies the cheesy flavour.
Panko Breadcrumbs - creates a crispy topping.
Parmesan - adds extra flavour to the topping.
Dried Thyme - a subtle herby note.
Salt & Pepper - to taste, for seasoning.
Need to substitute an ingredient?
Have an allergy or dietary preference? Let AI customise the recipe for you.
📖 Variations
- Add more vegetables - mix in peas, sweetcorn, or spinach for extra colour, texture, and nutrition.
- Vegetarian - use Quorn pieces instead of chicken and vegetarian bacon; swap Parmesan for a hard vegetarian cheese.
- Cheese - try half cheddar and half blue cheese, or crumbled blue cheese alone for a more grown-up, tangy flavour.
- Herby twist - stir in chopped parsley, basil, or thyme for a fresh, aromatic boost.
- Extra flavour - add roasted peppers, caramelised onions, or sun-dried tomatoes for a richer, more savoury bake.
- Spice it up - a pinch of smoked paprika or chilli flakes gives the cheese sauce a gentle kick.
- Gluten-free option - use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs to make it suitable for coeliacs or those avoiding gluten.
🔪 Instructions
The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post
Prep: Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / 400°F / Gas 6.
One: Boil the pasta in salted water to packet instructions. Add the broccoli florets during the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.
Two: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large pan, then add the garlic, bacon, and chicken. Fry until the chicken is opaque. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually whisk in the milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Simmer until thickened.
Three: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the grated cheddar, pesto, and mustard until smooth and the cheese is melted.
Four: Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the sauce, stirring to coat evenly.
Five: Transfer the mixture to an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and dried thyme. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden and bubbling.
Top Tips
- Stir the sauce constantly while it simmers to prevent lumps forming. It should thicken in just a few minutes.
- Cook pasta al dente - it should be tender but still slightly firm, as it will continue cooking in the oven. Overcooked pasta can become mushy.
- Use a baking sheet under your ovenproof dish to catch any bubbling cheese sauce and avoid oven spills.
- Blanch broccoli briefly in boiling water before adding it to the pasta to keep it vibrant and tender-crisp.
- Grate your own cheese - it melts more smoothly and gives a creamier sauce than pre-shredded cheese.
- Don't rush the cheese sauce - remove from heat when thickened, then stir in the cheese off the heat to prevent it from becoming grainy.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Serve the chicken broccoli pasta bake with a green salad and garlic bread or focaccia.
Storage
Store - allow any leftovers to cool completely, then cover with foil or cling film and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze - this pasta bake freezes well. Place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat - reheat in the oven at 180°C / 160°C fan / 350°F for 15-20 minutes until piping hot, or microwave individual portions until heated through.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Frozen broccoli can be used in the pasta bake. Just add it to the pasta at the same time as you would the fresh broccoli.
Yes, you can use fusilli, rigatoni, farfalle, or macaroni pasta instead.
😋Related recipes
Some more baked pasta recipes you might like:
- Chorizo Mac and Cheese - add smoky chorizo to your mac and cheese, for a Spanish style twist on this family favourite pasta dish.
- Easy Lasagne - a quick and easy lasagne recipe made with a cheat's white sauce, ready in just 45 minutes! Delicious comfort food the whole family will love.
- Pepperoni Pizza Pasta Bake - pizza in pasta form!
- Chorizo and Pepper Pasta - smoky, tasty and made in just 30 minutes!
- Smoky Meatball Pasta Bake - made with store-bought meatballs and flavoured with smoked paprika.
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Recipe
Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
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Equipment
- Chopping Board
- Knife
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 50 g Butter
- 2 Garlic Cloves chopped
- 1 Chicken Breast chopped
- 3 Bacon Rashers chopped (I use smoked bacon)
- 50 g Plain Flour
- 600 ml Milk
- 200 g Cheddar grated
- 1 teaspoon Mustard
- 1 tablespoon Pesto
- 200 g Pasta
- 1 Head of Broccoli broken into florets
- Salt and Pepper
For the topping
- 4 tablespoon Panko Breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoon Parmesan grated
- 1 teaspoon Thyme dried
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / 400°F / Gas 6.
- Bring a pan of salted water to the boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Add the broccoli florets for the last 3 minutes of cooking. Drain and set aside.200 g Pasta, 1 Head of Broccoli
- In a large pan melt the butter, then add the garlic, bacon and chicken and fry for a couple of minutes until the chicken changes colour. Stir in the flour and cook out for 2 minutes. Gradually stir in the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens. You will need to stir the sauce continuously to prevent it from becoming lumpy.50 g Butter, 2 Garlic Cloves, 1 Chicken Breast, 3 Bacon Rashers, 50 g Plain Flour, 600 ml Milk
- Take the sauce off the heat and stir in the grated cheddar, pesto and mustard, along with some salt and pepper. Add the cooked pasta and broccoli to the sauce and mix everything together.200 g Cheddar, 1 teaspoon Mustard, 1 tablespoon Pesto, Salt and Pepper
- Pour the pasta mix into an ovenproof dish.
- Mix together the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the top of the pasta bake.4 tablespoon Panko Breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoon Parmesan, 1 teaspoon Thyme
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente; it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Stir sauce constantly while thickening to prevent lumps.
- Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling sauce.
Janice says
It's a bleak kind of day today and this is exactly what I want to eat! A lovely pasta bake with the bonus of included vegetables!
Lizet says
We love confort food. We are trying this cheesy chicken pasta tonight. I hope it looks as delicious as yours!
Jess says
This is the perfect fall meal! I love making a double batch so I can freeze one for later to pull out on those busy soccer nights!
Andrea Metlika says
I never knew mustard could bring out the cheesiness of a dish. This is delicious!
Amanda Wren-Grimwood says
Love a good pasta bake and this one is so comforting and easy to do. Perfect for busy evenings.
Clara says
I love a good casserole and this chicken brocoli cheese dish was delish, the perfect hearty dinner for these cooler days.
Beth says
Yummy! My son is going to love this recipe! I can't wait to make this!
Chloe Edges says
Looks lovely Beth and I say that even as not a huge fan of broccoli!
Emily Liao says
Loved how easy this was to make! The whole family loved it.
Suzy says
Really love everything about this pasta bake! The topping is such a nice addition to the chicken and broccoli!
Christian Guzman says
This is going to be perfect for the weekend when my niece and nephews are over. I will need to make enough for seconds!
Priya Lakshminarayan says
I am always up for a good pasta recipe! Thanks for sharing this one