If you are looking for an easy baked dinner with tender chicken, broccoli, pasta, and plenty of melted cheese, this Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole is an excellent recipe to make. Pasta is tossed with juicy chicken and crisp-tender broccoli in a creamy garlic-cheddar sauce, then topped with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan before baking until bubbling and golden.
This casserole is perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, potlucks, or feeding a hungry family. It combines protein, vegetables, pasta, and cheese in one comforting dish, so you only need a simple salad or garlic bread on the side.
The key is slightly undercooking the pasta, keeping the broccoli just tender, and making the sauce a little looser than you think it needs to be before baking. That way, the finished casserole stays creamy instead of dry.
Why You’ll Love This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
This recipe is easy to assemble and uses familiar ingredients.
Chicken makes the casserole hearty and filling, while broccoli adds color, texture, and freshness.
The creamy cheese sauce combines cheddar, Parmesan, garlic, milk, and broth for a rich but balanced flavor.
It is also a great recipe for using leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Best of all, the casserole can be assembled ahead of time and baked when you are ready to eat.
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne, rotini, rigatoni, or shells
- 1 tablespoon salt for the pasta water
- ½ cup reserved pasta water
For the Chicken
- 3 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
For the Broccoli
- 4 cups small broccoli florets
For the Creamy Cheese Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt to taste
For the Cheese Topping
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Crispy Topping
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
For Garnishing
- Fresh parsley
- Extra Parmesan
- Freshly cracked black pepper
How to Make Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Bring the Pasta Water to a Boil
Fill a large pot with water.
Season generously with salt and bring to a rolling boil.
3. Cook the Pasta
Add the pasta.
Cook approximately 2 minutes less than the package directions.
The pasta should still be slightly firm because it will continue cooking in the oven.
4. Add the Broccoli
During the final 2 minutes of pasta cooking, add the broccoli florets directly to the pot.
Cook until bright green and just beginning to soften.
5. Reserve Pasta Water
Before draining, reserve approximately ½ cup pasta water.
Drain the pasta and broccoli.
Do not rinse.
6. Prepare the Chicken
Place the cooked chicken in a bowl.
Season with:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Smoked paprika
- Italian seasoning
- Black pepper
Toss gently.
If you are cooking chicken specifically for this recipe, make sure it reaches 165°F (74°C) before adding it to the casserole.
7. Melt the Butter
Place a large deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat.
Add the butter.
Let it melt completely.
8. Add the Garlic
Stir in the minced garlic.
Cook for approximately 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
9. Add the Flour
Sprinkle in the flour.
Whisk continuously for approximately 1–2 minutes.
This creates the roux that will thicken the sauce.
10. Add the Chicken Broth
Slowly pour in the chicken broth while whisking.
Continue whisking until smooth.
11. Add the Milk
Gradually pour in the milk.
Whisk continuously to prevent lumps.
12. Add the Heavy Cream
Stir in the heavy cream.
13. Add the Seasonings
Add:
- Dijon mustard
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Black pepper
14. Simmer the Sauce
Cook over medium-low heat for approximately 4–6 minutes, stirring frequently.
The sauce should begin to thicken but remain pourable.
15. Lower the Heat
Reduce the heat to low.
Do not let the sauce boil aggressively once the cheese is added.
16. Add the Cheddar
Add the shredded cheddar gradually.
Stir until melted and smooth.
17. Add Parmesan
Stir in the Parmesan a little at a time.
Continue stirring until the sauce is creamy.
18. Check the Consistency
The sauce should be slightly looser than a finished stovetop cheese sauce.
If it seems too thick, add reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time.
19. Taste and Adjust
Taste before adding extra salt because cheddar and Parmesan already provide saltiness.
Adjust black pepper, garlic, or Dijon if needed.
20. Combine the Pasta and Broccoli
Place the drained pasta and broccoli in a large mixing bowl or return them to the pot.
21. Add the Chicken
Add the seasoned cooked chicken.
22. Add the Cheese Sauce
Pour the creamy sauce over the pasta mixture.
23. Toss Gently
Stir until the pasta, broccoli, and chicken are evenly coated.
24. Transfer to the Baking Dish
Spoon the mixture into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish.
Spread into an even layer.
25. Add Mozzarella
Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly over the top.
26. Add Cheddar
Add the shredded cheddar.
27. Add Parmesan
Finish with Parmesan.
28. Prepare the Optional Crispy Topping
If using, combine:
- Panko
- Melted butter
- Parmesan
Mix until evenly coated.
29. Add the Breadcrumb Topping
Sprinkle the panko mixture over the cheese.
30. Cover
Cover loosely with foil.
31. Bake Covered
Bake for approximately 20 minutes.
32. Uncover
Remove the foil carefully.
33. Continue Baking
Bake for another 10–15 minutes.
The sauce should be bubbling around the edges and the cheese fully melted.
34. Broil for Extra Browning
For a more golden top, broil for approximately 1–2 minutes.
Watch carefully.
35. Rest
Remove the casserole from the oven.
Let it rest for approximately 5–10 minutes.
This allows the sauce to settle and thicken slightly.
36. Garnish
Finish with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and cracked black pepper.
37. Serve
Spoon generous portions onto plates and serve hot.
What to Serve With Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
This casserole is filling enough to serve on its own, but a few simple sides work especially well.
Try:
- Garlic bread
- Parmesan breadsticks
- Dinner rolls
- Caesar salad
- Garden salad
- Arugula salad
- Roasted asparagus
- Green beans
- Brussels sprouts
A crisp salad is especially good because it balances the richness of the creamy cheese sauce.
Tips for the Best Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole
Cook the pasta slightly under al dente.
Do not overcook the broccoli.
Use cooked chicken rather than raw chicken in the casserole.
Keep the sauce slightly loose before baking.
Use freshly grated Parmesan for smoother melting.
Shred cheddar from a block if possible.
Keep the heat low when adding cheese.
Do not boil the cheese sauce aggressively.
Bake covered first to keep everything moist.
Let the casserole rest before serving.
Easy Recipe Variations
Bacon Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Add ½–1 cup crispy crumbled bacon to the pasta mixture.
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Casserole
Increase the garlic and add an additional ½ cup Parmesan.
Mushroom Chicken Broccoli Pasta
Add 8 ounces sliced mushrooms.
Sauté until browned before adding them to the casserole.
Spicy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Add:
- Red pepper flakes
- Cayenne
- Pepper Jack cheese
Ranch Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Add 1–2 tablespoons ranch seasoning to the cheese sauce.
Alfredo Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Replace the cheddar-heavy sauce with a Parmesan cream sauce and use extra mozzarella.
Spinach Chicken Pasta Bake
Replace half the broccoli with 3 cups fresh spinach.
Stir it into the hot sauce until wilted.
Extra Cheesy Version
Add provolone, Monterey Jack, or fontina along with the cheddar and mozzarella.
How to Store Leftovers
Allow leftover casserole to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.
Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.
Reheating in the Oven
Place the casserole in a covered baking dish.
Add a splash of milk or chicken broth.
Reheat at 350°F (175°C) until hot.
Reheating in the Microwave
Microwave individual portions in short intervals.
Add a splash of milk if the pasta looks dry.
Freezing
This casserole can be frozen.
For best results, assemble it but do not bake.
Cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil.
Freeze for up to approximately 2 months.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Yes.
Rotisserie chicken is one of the easiest choices for this casserole.
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes.
Thaw and drain it well first so excess moisture does not thin the sauce.
Can I use another pasta shape?
Absolutely.
Penne, rigatoni, rotini, shells, ziti, and bowtie pasta all work well.
Can I make this casserole ahead?
Yes.
Assemble up to a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate.
Add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes into the oven cold.
Why is my casserole dry?
The pasta may have been overcooked before baking, the sauce may have been too thick, or the casserole may have baked too long.
Keep the sauce slightly loose before assembling.
Can I use only cheddar cheese?
Yes.
You can use cheddar alone, although mozzarella provides better stretch and Parmesan adds more savory flavor.
Can I add more vegetables?
Absolutely.
Mushrooms, spinach, peas, cauliflower, or zucchini all work well.
Can I use raw chicken?
It is better to use fully cooked chicken for this recipe so the pasta and sauce do not overcook while waiting for the chicken to reach a safe temperature.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, bright broccoli, garlic, cheddar, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a creamy homemade cheese sauce in one comforting baked dinner.
The key is slightly undercooking the pasta and broccoli, keeping the cheese sauce a little loose before baking, and using cooked chicken so everything heats evenly without drying out.
Serve it with garlic bread and a crisp salad for an easy family meal that is creamy, cheesy, hearty, and perfect for busy weeknights.