Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

Want a hearty and filling dinner that’s perfect for the whole family? Well, then you’ll absolutely love this super healthy chicken broccoli pasta casserole. I promise it will become your go-to healthy casserole recipe!

This recipe may not be low carb but it is a healthy dinner casserole that the whole family will love! What makes this especially delicious casserole so great is that it’s made with ingredients that you might already have right in your pantry or fridge!

The Perfect Family Dinner Casserole

One of my favorite things about any recipe is having flexibility. Luckily, this recipe is customizable and makes fantastic leftovers. This means it is perfectly suited for any household, no matter the occasion!

Easy Casserole Ingredient Substitutions

The best thing about this easy casserole recipe is that it is so flexible. There are lots of ways you can substitute different ingredients and make it taste like a completely different dish.

Here are just a few of my favorite ideas.

• Chicken – If you don’t have any chicken, you can use chopped turkey, shrimp, or even diced ham.
• Meatless – Go meatless and replace the chicken with mushrooms.
• Cheese  – I used sharp cheddar cheese, but other varieties that will taste just as amazing are Monterey Jack cheese and mozzarella.
• Broccoli – Other veggies you can use instead of broccoli include cauliflower florets or peas.
• Bacon – I didn’t use bacon, but you could crumble some bacon on top for a delightful crunch!

The possibilities are endless for this meal. You might even enjoy making two versions of this casserole for your get-together and customize it!

More Family-Friendly Casseroles

If you loved this dish, some other delicious choices are the Keto Jalapeño Popper Casserole, as well as this Cabbage and Beef Casserole.

If you’re on the lookout for the protein and fiber of a casserole without the pasta, try this Low Carb Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe or this Low Carb Chicken Asparagus Stir Fry instead.

A Budget-Friendly Casserole

While saving a trip to the grocery store, this recipe saves you money too! By using common items you might find are already in your pantry and refrigerator, you can reinvent even the simplest ingredients.

The best way to stretch your grocery budget is to buy family packs of chicken breast and use them in different recipes throughout the week.

Something like frozen broccoli might be overlooked as boring on its own, but it adds color and texture to this meal, making it even tastier! You can also use cauliflower too!

How To Store Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

To store, simply cover your casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It’ll stay fresh up to 3-4 days in the fridge, although I’m sure you won’t let it last even that long!

How To Make Chicken Pasta Bake Ahead

This casserole is the perfect thing to make ahead of time and store in the freezer. To do this, just follow all the instructions up until you are supposed to put it in the oven. Instead of baking it, seal it tightly in a casserole dish with aluminum foil and label it with the recipe name and date.

It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.

When you are ready to bake it, let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight.

What To Serve With This Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

This hearty casserole can easily be served as a meal on its own. Thinking about going above and beyond for family or guests? It also pairs amazingly with Cheesy Garlic Bread or a simple salad.

Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this casserole. Exact measurements are located within the printable recipe card below.

• Pasta
• Broccoli, fresh or frozen
• Butter or olive oil
• Small onion
• Garlic
• Flour
• Chicken or vegetable broth
• Milk
• Dijon mustard
• Sea salt
• Black pepper
• Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• Cooked chicken

How To Make Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

Just look at how easy this is to make! All these instructions are included in the printable card at the bottom. I just wanted to show you some pictures of the recipe as I cooked it so you can see what the process looks like.

Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted boiling water until al dente.  About 2 minutes before the pasta is done, add the broccoli to the pasta water and stir until combined.  This will save you a dish. Drain the pasta and broccoli.

Using a sauté pan melt the butter or oil over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the garlic and cook for 3 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle the flour over the onion and garlic mixture and stir until combined.  Cook for an additional 1 minute. Slowly add in the stock, and stir everything together until mostly smooth and clumps are gone.  Add in the milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper and stir until fully combined.

Continue to cook the sauce until it reaches a simmer.  Then remove the sauce from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until thoroughly melted and combined. 

Using a 9 x 13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, broccoli, chicken, and cheese sauce.  Toss until combined.  Even out the ingredients in the casserole dish.

Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes.  The photo below is what it will look like as soon as it comes out of the oven. 

Then remove the pan from the oven, to sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole, and bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese is nice and melted.

Just look at all that cheese!

This tastes best when you serve it fresh out of the oven.

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