Ingredients

Scale

For the Casserole:

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
3 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
12 oz penne or rotini pasta, cooked al dente
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup heavy cream
1 ½ cups whole milk
4 tbsp unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp Italian seasoning
¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for a slight kick)

For the Topping:

½ cup breadcrumbs
2 tbsp melted butter
¼ cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Ingredients

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. If you haven’t already, cook and dice the chicken and steam or blanch the broccoli until just tender.

Step 2: Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce

In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in the flour and cook for another minute, whisking continuously to form a roux.

Slowly pour in the milk and heavy cream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Add salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 3–4 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and remove from heat once melted and smooth.

Step 4: Combine the Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, and broccoli. Pour the Alfredo sauce over the mixture and gently stir until everything is well coated.

Step 5: Assemble the Casserole

Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and additional Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.

Step 6: Prepare the Topping

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with melted butter and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle this over the casserole for a crispy, golden topping.

Step 7: Bake the Casserole

Place the dish in the oven and bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and bubbly.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or additional Parmesan cheese if desired. Enjoy!

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Nutrition

Calories: 520
Sugar: 3g
Fat: 22g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 35g