Hey there, food lovers! If you’re looking for a delicious and filling meal that’s packed with flavors, then you’ve got to try this Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake! It’s one of those throw-it-together dishes that surprisingly turns out to be amazing. Trust me, this is a family favorite and will be on repeat in your house. It combines tender chicken, wholewheat pasta, and creamy cheese with the goodness of broccoli, making it a nutritious yet indulgent dish. I even served it with a garlic and coriander naan bread (because, why not?) for a fun twist. Ready to get started? Let’s dive right in!
Method
Cooking the Onion and Chicken
Start by heating 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is warm, add 2 chopped onions and sauté them until they become soft and translucent. This will take about 3-4 minutes. Then, add the 2 crushed garlic cloves to the pan and cook for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the garlic to release its aroma. Next, toss in the 400g of diced chicken breast and cook until the chicken is browned and fully cooked through, stirring occasionally. Make sure the chicken pieces are no longer pink in the center and are nicely browned on the outside.
Cooking the Broccoli and Pasta
While the chicken is cooking, take a saucepan and fill it with water to boil the broccoli. Once the water is boiling, add 150g of broccoli florets and cook them for about 4 minutes, just until they are tender but still bright green. After cooking, drain the broccoli and set it aside. In the same pot, begin cooking the 240g of wholewheat pasta according to the package instructions. Once the pasta is done, drain it and set it aside as well.
Creating the Sauce
Once the chicken is fully cooked, it’s time to add flavor. Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon of Italian herbs and 2 teaspoons of reduced-fat pesto. Stir them in to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Then, add 60g of Philadelphia lightest cream cheese, 10g of grated parmesan cheese, and 1 stock pot. Pour in about 100ml of water to help create a creamy sauce. Stir everything together and let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes. During this time, the sauce will thicken and absorb all the flavors from the pesto, herbs, and cheeses.
Combining the Pasta, Broccoli, and Sauce
Once your sauce is ready, add the cooked broccoli into the pan with the chicken mixture. Stir gently to combine the broccoli with the sauce. Then, take the cooked pasta and add it to the pan as well, tossing everything together so the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. At this point, you can also add a handful of fresh spinach and a few torn basil leaves for added freshness and flavor. Stir until the spinach wilts and everything is nicely mixed.
Assembling the Bake
Now, transfer the mixture into an oven-proof dish. Spread it evenly across the dish, making sure all the pasta, chicken, and broccoli are evenly distributed. Once everything is in the dish, sprinkle 35g of lighter grated cheddar cheese evenly over the top. The cheese will melt beautifully and create a nice bubbly golden crust when grilled.
Grilling to Perfection
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat and place the oven-proof dish under the grill for about 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Keep a close eye on it to ensure the cheese doesn’t burn. You want it to be golden brown and deliciously gooey.
Necessary Tools
- Frying pan
- Saucepan for boiling pasta and broccoli
- Oven-proof baking dish
- Grater for the cheese
- Stirring spoon
- Measuring spoons
Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake: A Comforting, Flavorful Dish
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy3
servings10
minutes30
minutes40
minutesIngredients
1 tsp olive oil
2 onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
400g diced chicken breast
240g wholewheat pasta
2 tsp reduced-fat pesto
60g lightest cream cheese (Philadelphia)
10g parmesan cheese
1 stock pot
150g broccoli florets
1 tsp Italian herbs
A few torn basil leaves
35g lighter grated cheddar
Directions
- Cook the onion in olive oil until softened, then add the crushed garlic and diced chicken. Cook until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- While the chicken is cooking, boil the broccoli in a saucepan of boiling water for about 4 minutes, then drain it and set aside. In the same pan, start cooking your pasta according to the package instructions.
- Once the chicken is cooked, season with Italian herbs and pesto. Add the Philadelphia cream cheese, parmesan, stock pot, 100ml of water, and the cooked broccoli. Let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Drain the pasta and stir it into the sauce mixture. Add a handful of spinach and a few torn basil leaves for extra flavor.
- Pour the mixture into an oven-proof dish, top with grated cheddar cheese, and grill for a few minutes until it’s bubbly and golden brown.
Notes
- Make sure to cook the chicken all the way through to avoid any undercooked bits. You can cut into a piece to check if it’s fully cooked before moving on.
- When grilling the cheese topping, keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn. It should only take a few minutes to bubble and turn golden brown.
- If you’re making this for a larger group, you can easily double the recipe and bake in a larger dish. Just keep in mind it might need a little extra time in the oven!
Serving Suggestions
This Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake pairs wonderfully with a side of garlic bread or naan (like I did, thanks to my grandma!). You can also serve it with a crisp salad to balance out the creamy goodness of the dish. It’s the perfect comfort food for any time of year!
Fun Fact
Did you know that broccoli is packed with vitamins like C and K? It’s not only delicious, but it also helps boost your immune system and promote bone health. So, while you’re indulging in this cheesy goodness, you’re doing your body a favor too!
Conclusion
This Cheesy Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food that’s full of flavor and packed with protein! It’s easy to make, filling, and perfect for a cozy meal with your loved ones. Whether you serve it with naan or a fresh salad, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Give it a try, and I’m sure it’ll become one of your go-to recipes. Enjoy!
