Description
This Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole is a comforting and nutritious dish that’s perfect for family dinners. It’s made with tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and whole-grain pasta, all enveloped in a creamy cheddar mushroom sauce. This recipe avoids canned soups and instead uses wholesome ingredients for a lighter yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 8 ounces whole-wheat rotini or your choice of pasta
- 1 large head of broccoli, cut into bite-sized florets (about 1 pound)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
- 1 small white onion, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces baby bella (cremini) mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 1/2 cups low-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (204°C).
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, following package instructions. About 1 minute before the pasta is done, add the broccoli florets to the boiling water. Drain both the pasta and broccoli, and set aside.
- Prepare Sauce: In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-high heat. Sauté the onion for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add the mushrooms and garlic, cooking for an additional 5 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Sprinkle the flour over the mixture, stirring constantly for 1 minute to eliminate the raw flour taste. Gradually pour in the stock, stirring to dissolve any lumps. Add the milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper, stirring continuously until the sauce reaches a simmer and thickens. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- Combine Ingredients: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix together the cooked pasta, broccoli, diced chicken, and the creamy mushroom sauce until everything is evenly coated.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your healthier broccoli chicken casserole!
Notes
- Feel free to use gluten-free pasta and flour if needed.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable stock.
- Add fresh herbs like parsley or thyme for extra flavor.