Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Bake (Printable)
Creamy baked pasta with chicken, broccoli and Alfredo, finished with melted mozzarella and Parmesan.
# 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)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
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 package directions. Drain and set aside.
03 - Steam or blanch broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. Drain and set aside.
04 - In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, bring to a gentle simmer, then whisk in 1 cup Parmesan cheese until sauce is thick and smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if using.
05 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, chicken, broccoli, and Alfredo sauce. Stir until thoroughly coated.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
07 - Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden and the casserole is bubbling.
08 - Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get perfectly tender chicken and broccoli tucked beneath a cheesy, creamy blanket that feels like a secret indulgence.
- This bake transforms simple weeknight ingredients into something everyone gets excited for, with almost no fuss.
02 -
- I once forgot to salt the pasta water—no amount of cheese could make up for bland noodles, so season generously.
- Steaming broccoli instead of boiling speeds things up and keeps it from getting waterlogged in the final casserole.
03 -
- Freshly grated Parmesan melts more smoothly and gives a deep, nutty flavor you can’t fake with pre-shredded cheese.
- Give the finished bake a couple minutes under the broiler if you want an ultra-crispy cheese crust that shatters with a fork.