Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole Recipe

This Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole is a comforting and satisfying dish that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a healthy meal prep option. Tender pasta, roasted broccoli florets, and cubed chicken are combined with a creamy cashew sauce and baked to perfection. It’s a flavorful and nutritious casserole that’s sure to please the whole family.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Healthy and flavorful: This casserole is packed with protein, fiber, and nutrients, thanks to the whole wheat pasta, broccoli, and chicken. The cashew sauce adds a creamy and delicious element without the heaviness of traditional cream sauces.
• Easy to make: This recipe is simple to follow and comes together in just 40 minutes.
• Versatile: You can easily customize the pasta shape, vegetables, and cheese to your liking.
• Great for meal prep: This casserole makes excellent leftovers, making it perfect for meal prepping for the week ahead.

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Ingredients for Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

This recipe uses fresh, wholesome ingredients to create a flavorful and satisfying casserole. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Pasta Casserole:

• Whole Wheat Rotini Pasta: Provides a healthy dose of whole grains and fiber. You can substitute with any pasta you prefer.
• Broccoli Florets: Adds a healthy dose of vegetables and a vibrant green color.
• Avocado Oil: Used for roasting the broccoli.
• Cooked Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or cook your own chicken breasts.
• Shredded Cheese: Use regular or vegan shredded cheese, depending on your dietary preferences.

For the Cashew Sauce:

• Creamy Cashew Butter: Creates a creamy and flavorful base for the sauce.
• Unsweetened Plain Cashew Milk (or Almond Milk): Adds creaminess and a nutty flavor.
• Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Adds depth of flavor to the sauce.
• Almond Flour: Helps thicken the sauce.
• Garlic Powder and Paprika: Enhance the savory flavors.
• Dried Parsley: Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste.

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

How to Make Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta. Place the broccoli florets in a 9×13 inch casserole dish and drizzle with avocado oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Roast the broccoli in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta and Make the Sauce

While the broccoli is roasting, cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain the pasta and set aside. In a bowl, whisk together the cashew butter, cashew milk (or almond milk), chicken or vegetable broth, almond flour, garlic powder, paprika, dried parsley, salt, and pepper until smooth.

Step 3: Assemble and Bake

Once the broccoli is done roasting, add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, and the cashew sauce to the casserole dish. Mix well to combine. Top with the remaining shredded cheese. Return the casserole dish to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Tips for Making the Recipe

• Broccoli: You can use fresh or frozen broccoli florets.
• Chicken: You can use any type of cooked chicken you like, such as rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or cooked chicken breasts or thighs.
• Cheese: Feel free to use your favorite type of cheese, or use a vegan cheese alternative for a dairy-free version.
• Cashew sauce: You can adjust the thickness of the cashew sauce by adding more or less broth or milk.

How to Serve Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole

• Weeknight dinner: This casserole is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
• Meal prep: It’s also a great option for meal prepping for the week ahead.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating

Reheat individual portions in the microwave or reheat the entire casserole in the oven until heated through.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta?
Yes, you can use any type of pasta you like, such as penne, rotini, or even gluten-free pasta.

Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and bake it later. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.

Can I freeze this casserole?
Yes, you can freeze the assembled casserole before baking. Simply cover the baking dish tightly with foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.

My casserole is a bit watery, what did I do wrong?
If your casserole is watery, it could be that you didn’t drain the pasta well enough or that the broccoli released some moisture during baking. You can try draining the pasta more thoroughly or patting the broccoli dry before adding it to the casserole.

There you have it! A simple and delicious recipe for Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole. I hope you enjoy it!

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