Chicken Alfredo Bake with Broccoli (Printable)
A creamy, comforting pasta bake combining tender chicken, fresh broccoli, and a rich Alfredo sauce, finished with golden cheese.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 cups broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Pasta
03 - 12 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
→ Alfredo Sauce Base
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 2 cups heavy cream
07 - 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
08 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
09 - ½ teaspoon salt
10 - ¼ teaspoon black pepper
11 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
→ Garnish
12 - ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
# How-To:
01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente according to package directions. During the final 2 minutes of cooking, add the broccoli florets to the pot. Drain thoroughly and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the unsalted butter. Add the minced garlic and sauté for approximately 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in 1 cup of Parmesan cheese and ½ cup of mozzarella cheese, stirring continuously until the cheeses are melted and the sauce is smooth. Season with salt, black pepper, and nutmeg if desired.
05 - In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, broccoli, diced chicken, and the prepared Alfredo sauce. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared 9x13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and the remaining ½ cup of Parmesan cheese over the top.
07 - Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese topping is golden brown.
08 - Allow the baked dish to rest for 5 minutes before garnishing with fresh parsley, if using, and serving hot.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- It's the kind of dish that wraps you in a warm hug after a long day, satisfying every craving without demanding hours in the kitchen.
- Plus, it's a brilliant way to transform leftover rotisserie chicken into something completely new and exciting, making meal prep a breeze and pleasing even the pickiest eaters.
02 -
- Never, ever boil your broccoli into oblivion; adding it in the last two minutes of pasta cooking ensures it retains its vibrant color and a delightful, slight crispness.
- I learned the hard way that a block of good quality Parmesan, freshly grated, yields a far superior sauce in terms of both flavor and texture compared to the pre-shredded stuff.
03 -
- Resist the urge to rinse your cooked pasta after draining; the starchy residue actually helps the sauce cling beautifully to each noodle, ensuring maximum flavor in every bite.
- The tiny hint of nutmeg in the Alfredo sauce is a classic Italian secret; it doesn't make the sauce taste like nutmeg, but rather enhances the savory, creamy notes, adding an inexplicable depth.