Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole Recipe
It doesn’t get much easier than this Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole for dinner. Creamy, savory, delicious, perfect for hiding veggies, and SO effortless! Even my picky kiddos like this one. It’s that good! Here’s what I’m loving about it:
- Other than cooking the pasta, it’s a one-pan (rather, casserole dish) meal – so easy clean-up!
- It can be prepped in advance and/or frozen and reheated.
- It’s great for feeding a crowd.
- It can be made lower-carb by using chickpea or lentil-based pasta.
- If you use cooked chicken and pre-cut broccoli florets, this recipe can be made in 30 minutes flat!
- The recipe is mostly dairy-free, but can be made completely dairy-free by using vegan cheese instead of regular.
- It’s one of the quickest, easiest healthy dinner recipes ever and I know you’re going to love it!
Did I mention how this recipe legitimately tastes like comfort food heaven? It’s the BEST. Happy no-fuss cooking, friends!
RELATED: 15 Easy Weeknight Healthy Pasta Recipes
Ingredients/Substitutions
Here’s what you’ll need for this recipe.
Creamy Cashew Sauce
This cashew sauce is INCREDIBLY easy to make! You’ll need cashew butter, chicken (or vegetable) broth, unsweetened plain cashew milk (or almond milk), a small amount of almond flour, garlic powder, paprika, dried parsley, and salt/pepper to taste. Simply whisk it all together and you’re set!
Cooked Chicken + Broccoli
You’ll need to have cooked chicken and broccoli florets ready to go! You can also save time by cooking the chicken and chopping these ingredients up the night before so that they’re ready to go for a quick and easy dinner the next day.
Other hidden veggies ideas for this casserole include frozen or canned peas, carrots, chopped spinach or kale, and/or mushrooms!
RELATED: Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
Whole Wheat or Chickpea Pasta
I’ve made this recipe with both whole wheat pasta and chickpea pasta, and both always turn out great! If you use the lower-carb chickpea pasta option, be sure to lower the amount of time for cooking the pasta (as it gets soft pretty quickly) by 1-2 minutes. This will keep it from getting mushy when you bake it with the other ingredients!
The Cheese Topping
To fully make this recipe dairy-free, I used vegan shredded cheese to top off the dish. However, regular shredded cheddar cheese is great as well! You can also add more or less cheese on top, to taste.
TIP: Take it up a notch with a little fresh parsley and chopped walnuts, if you want!
Make This Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole in 30 Minutes
As in ACTUAL 30 MINUTES! The best healthy dinner win. Here’s how to make this Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole in just 30 minutes:
- Roast the broccoli florets in a 9×13 casserole dish with a little oil and salt for about 15 minutes.
- While the broccoli florets are roasting, cook the pasta.
- Whisk together the cashew sauce ingredients.
- Add the cooked, pre-cubed chicken and cooked pasta into the casserole dish along with the sauce and 1/2 of the shredded cheese.
- Mix together and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake in the oven for another 10-15 minutes (or until the cheese is melted).
You’ll Also Love: Chicken Pesto Pasta Bake
Tips for a Next-Level Healthy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Bake
- This recipe uses pre-cooked chicken. Have this Roasted Chicken on hand or purchase a rotisserie chicken to make this recipe quickly during the week!
- Make sure that the cooked chicken is seasoned well. I love this seasoning!
- Use high-quality, organic chicken for this recipe! Butcher Box is a great option for affordable, free-range organic chicken! Here’s my full review of Butcher Box if you’re interested in learning more.
- I like to buy pre-cut broccoli florets from the grocery store to save time, but you can also prep the broccoli but cutting it earlier in the week or the night before.
- Want to meal prep this recipe? Simply roast the broccoli according to the recipe directions below and put it all together (except for the cheese topping) in a glass casserole dish like this one the night before. Add the airtight lid and store in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to bake, give it another stir and add the cheese topping. Bake until the cheese melts and everything is hot!
RELATED: 23 Healthy Casserole Recipes
More Healthy Comfort Food Recipes
- The BEST Coconut Lentil & Chickpea Curry
- Healthy Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole
- Spicy Southwest Butternut Squash Casserole
- Creamy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Skillet
Did you make this recipe? Be sure to give it a rating below and tag your photos @jar.of.lemons!
Healthy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
Equipment
Ingredients
Pasta Casserole
- 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta (or any pasta)
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 Tablespoons avocado oil
- 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 2 cups regular or vegan shredded cheese (divided)
Cashew Sauce
- 1/2 cup creamy cashew butter
- 3/4 cup unsweetened plain cashew milk (or almond milk)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- salt/pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- At the same time, begin boiling a pot of water for the pasta.
- Place the broccoli in a 9×13" casserole dish and drizzle with avocado oil.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then roast in the oven for about 15 minutes.
- While the broccoli is roasting, cook the pasta according to directions, drain, and set aside.
- Whisk together the cashew sauce ingredients.
- When the broccoli is done roasting, add the cooked pasta, precooked chicken, 1 cup of shredded cheese, and the cashew sauce to the casserole dish.
- Mix it all together and top it with the remaining cheese.
- Place the casserole dish back in the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
- Let cool for a few minutes and enjoy!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says:
WOW…does this sound/look delicious or what!! Perfect for a crowd. I just might have to make this for the next time I host a party….you can’t go wrong with this flavour profile. I will be gone in a flash.
Christine McMichael replied:
Yes, so perfect! Enjoy!
Catherine says:
I always get excited when I see a creamy dish that’s healthy too! This casserole looks absolutely delish!! A perfect dish to make over the weekend.
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too, Catherine! So good!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says:
Yum, your healthy version sounds just as tasty, and looks just as cheesy as it’s calorie loaded alternative. I love the use of some of your ingredients!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Joanna! 🙂
Kristina @ Love & Zest says:
I love a good casserole! I love it even more when it can be healthy!
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too, Kristina! The best!
Lorie says:
I am so excited to make this! We used to have something similar all the time growing up!
Christine McMichael replied:
Enjoy, Lorie! So did we, delish!
Deryn | Running on Real Food says:
Woah, this sounds sooo good and comforting for chilly Fall days. I love anything with cheesy and broccoli-y. Dreaming up ways to veganize this one. 😉
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Deryn! It’s so delicious! Haha YES, would love to see your version!
Kimberly @ Berly's Kitchen says:
This would make a great weekend dinner, and it would feed the entire family. My husband and son LOVE cheesy chicken and rice, so I’m 100% confident they would love this, too.
Christine McMichael replied:
That’s so perfect, Kimberly! I hope they enjoy the recipe!
Jess says:
Such a great way to have an entire meal packed into one dish! Great for a busy night:)
Christine McMichael replied:
Yes, agreed! 🙂
Joanna says:
I love casseroles! Can’t wait to try this recipe next week.
Christine McMichael replied:
Me too, Joanna! Enjoy!
dixya @food, pleasure, and health says:
im all about casserole type dish too esp this time of the year and your version looks amazing!
Christine McMichael replied:
Yes, so perfect for fall and cooler temps! Enjoy! 🙂
Laura says:
I’m LOVING this! The biggest problem I have with casseroles is all the dairy in them! This recipe is perfect for me and my family!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Laura! 🙂 I agree. That’s always the struggle! Enjoy!
Linda @ 2 Cookin' Mamas says:
I have a favorite broccoli cheese casserole but I haven’t tried adding something like cashew butter. It sounds like it would give it a nice rich taste. Yours looks fantastic & I love that this is gluten-free too!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thank you, Linda! It’s delicious!
Maria says:
Love the healthy spin on this dish! Such a classic combo. 🙂
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks, Maria! Enjoy! 🙂
Jessica @ Small Bites by Jessica says:
This looks delish! What a great way to get some extra veggies in at dinner too!
Christine McMichael replied:
Thanks so much, Jessica!
Rachel says:
I love that this doesn’t have cheese. I love cheese but it doesn’t love me so much. Looks good!
Christine McMichael replied:
Haha, I totally feel ya on the cheese thing!