Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Pasta is one of those dishes that feels like a proper family favourite. It brings together soft pasta, juicy chicken, fresh broccoli and a rich cheese sauce in a way that feels comforting and filling without being too complicated. Best of all, it looks impressive when it arrives at the table bubbling and golden from under the grill.
I first started making dishes like this when I needed something hearty that would feed everyone without spending hours in the kitchen. Pasta bakes always seem to solve that problem. They are easy to prepare ahead of time, they stretch ingredients well, and they reheat beautifully the next day. This version has quickly become one of the most requested dinners in our house.
The layers make this dish stand out from a standard pasta bake. Instead of using pasta throughout, the base and topping are made with lasagna sheets. They soften perfectly during cooking and give the dish a lovely structure. Then the top layer turns crisp and golden once the cheese is grilled. That crunchy finish adds so much texture and flavour.
The cheesy sauce is the real star of the meal though. It wraps around the diced chicken and broccoli beautifully. Every spoonful feels creamy and satisfying. The broccoli also works far better in this dish than many people expect. It keeps a slight bite and balances the richness of the sauce perfectly. Even family members who usually avoid greens often clear their plates when broccoli is served this way.
I also love how adaptable this meal can be. Some evenings I make it extra cheesy for comfort food nights. Other times I keep it lighter with more broccoli and less sauce. Either way, it still feels like proper home cooking. It is the sort of dinner that encourages everyone to gather around the table and slow down for a while.
Children usually enjoy this dish because the cheese sauce makes the broccoli much more appealing. Meanwhile, adults appreciate the combination of textures and flavours. The crunchy top layer contrasts beautifully with the creamy filling underneath. Every serving feels warm, rich, and satisfying.
Another reason I enjoy making Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Pasta is that it works for so many occasions. It fits perfectly into a busy weekday meal plan, yet it is also comforting enough for a relaxed Sunday evening. If guests arrive unexpectedly, this dish always feels welcoming and generous.
The smell while it cooks is wonderful too. The scent of melting cheese, grilled topping, and creamy sauce drifting through the kitchen makes the whole house feel cosy. It is the kind of aroma that brings people wandering into the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready.
Leftovers rarely last long in our home either. In fact, some people think it tastes even better the next day once the flavours settle together. A quick reheating under the grill helps bring back that crunchy cheesy topping as well.
One of my favourite things about family cooking is finding meals that everyone genuinely looks forward to eating. This dish manages that beautifully. It feels simple yet special at the same time. Most importantly, it delivers comfort in every single bite.
Possible side dishes to serve with Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Pasta:
- Garlic bread
- Mixed leaf salad with cucumber and tomato
- Roasted cherry tomatoes
- Buttered green beans
- Crispy potato wedges
- Coleslaw
- Steamed sweetcorn
- Homemade potato skins
- Warm crusty bread
- Honey glazed carrots
- Caesar salad
- Oven roasted courgettes
- Onion rings
- Grilled asparagus
- Tomato and red onion salad
Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
- 3 large chicken breasts diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 large broccoli cut into small florets
- 250 g pasta such as penne or fusilli
- 8 sheets lasagna
- 50 g butter
- 50 g plain flour
- 700 ml milk
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 200 g cheddar cheese mature grated
- 100 g mozzarella cheese grated
- 40 g parmesan cheese grated
- 1 tsp paprika
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 190°C fan. Lightly grease a large ovenproof baking dish.
- Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook the pasta until just tender. Add the broccoli florets for the final 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain well and set aside.250 g pasta, 1 large broccoli
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 6 to 8 minutes until golden and cooked through.1 tbsp olive oil, 3 large chicken breasts
- Add the diced onion to the pan. Cook for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic and paprika, then cook for another minute.1 medium onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tsp paprika
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk well for 1 minute to create a smooth paste.50 g butter, 50 g plain flour
- Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly. Keep stirring until the sauce thickens and becomes smooth.700 ml milk
- Stir in the Dijon mustard along with half the cheddar, half the mozzarella, and half the parmesan. Season with salt and black pepper.1 tsp Dijon mustard, 200 g cheddar cheese, 100 g mozzarella cheese, 40 g parmesan cheese, salt, black pepper
- Add the cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken mixture to the cheese sauce. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Place a layer of lasagna sheets over the base of the baking dish. Spoon the cheesy chicken and broccoli mixture on top.8 sheets lasagna
- Finish with another layer of lasagna sheets across the top of the dish.
- Scatter the remaining cheddar, mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until bubbling and hot throughout.
- Place the dish under a hot grill for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese becomes golden and crisp around the edges.
- Leave the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Sprinkle over chopped parsley just before bringing it to the table.
22 comments
I enjoyed it but would suggest adding a pinch of chilli flakes for a bit of heat
This is the first dish that all 4 of my children enjoy. So this is definitely going to be made again.
Really filling and satisfying, will definitely make this again for a weekend dinner
I added extra broccoli and it worked really well to balance the richness
Absolutely loved the texture contrast between the soft filling and crispy cheese topping
Great recipe, though I think it could benefit from a bit more seasoning in the chicken layer
Loved it, especially the crispy top layer after grilling
Family loved it, especially the kids who normally avoid broccoli but ate every bite
Turned out beautifully golden and bubbly, the lasagna layers gave it a really nice structure
Very tasty but I swapped cheddar for a stronger mature cheese and it lifted the whole dish
Brilliant family meal, I’ll be adding this to my regular rotation
Easy to follow and very rewarding, the sauce came out silky smooth
So delicious and proper comfort food, the cheese sauce was rich and creamy and the crunchy top made it even better
Perfect for batch cooking, reheated really well the next day
Nice dish overall but I would increase the garlic slightly for more punch
Tasted amazing fresh from the oven, though I let it rest longer to firm up the layers
Lovely flavour throughout, but I added a little extra mustard for a sharper cheese taste
Good recipe overall but I reduced the pasta slightly as it felt a bit heavy for my taste
Comfort food at its best, creamy, cheesy and full of flavour
A real crowd pleaser, everyone went back for seconds
Very good but I think using smoked cheese could add another depth of flavour
Nice flavour but I think a touch of nutmeg in the sauce would improve it