Chicken Alfredo Bake with Broccoli (Printable)
Creamy baked pasta with tender chicken, broccoli, and golden melted cheese topping.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
→ Vegetables
03 - 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
→ Sauce
04 - 2 cups Alfredo sauce (homemade or store-bought)
05 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Cheese
06 - 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
07 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
08 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
09 - 1/2 tsp dried Italian herbs
10 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Steam broccoli florets until just tender, about 3-4 minutes. Drain thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced chicken, steamed broccoli, Alfredo sauce, milk, garlic powder, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Add half of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Stir until evenly distributed.
05 - Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish. Spread evenly with a spatula. Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese across the top in a uniform layer.
06 - Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling with golden-brown spots on top.
07 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get that creamy restaurant flavor at home without standing over a hot stove for hours.
- The leftovers actually taste better the next day for lunch.
02 -
- Overbaking will dry out the sauce so keep a close eye on the cheese near the end.
- Salt your pasta water generously because the noodles need flavor on their own.
03 -
- Grating your own cheese instead of buying pre shredded makes the sauce melt much smoother.
- A splash of pasta water helps bind the sauce before baking if it looks too thick.