Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole Recipe

This Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole is everything you love about cozy casseroles—melty cheese, savory chicken, and tender pasta—but made lighter with loads of broccoli, a homemade creamy sauce, and whole-wheat pasta. It’s a weeknight hero that ticks every box: simple, absolutely delicious, and nourishing for the whole family.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You won’t believe how these simple, honest ingredients come together to create such a vibrant casserole! Every element plays a starring role here—bringing creaminess, crunch, color, and unbeatable flavor.

• Whole-wheat rotini pasta: This hearty pasta adds fiber and a subtle nutty flavor, holding up well under all that creamy sauce.
• Fresh broccoli florets: Broccoli delivers crunch, brilliant color, and that signature veggie flavor—plus an impressive dose of vitamins!
• Butter or olive oil: Either fat works beautifully to sauté the aromatics and create a rich base for the sauce.
• White onion: Sliced thin, onion brings sweetness and depth—don’t skip it!
• Baby bella (cremini) mushrooms: Mushrooms lend earthiness and substance, soaking up all those savory flavors.
• Fresh garlic: Garlic puts its unmistakable aromatic stamp on the casserole, making everything pop.
• Flour: A little flour thickens the homemade sauce and gives you that cozy, velvety texture.
• Chicken or vegetable stock: This is the secret behind a flavorful, lighter base—skip the canned soups!
• Milk: Milk makes the sauce creamy without relying on heavy cream. I like 2%, but you can opt for what you have.
• Dijon mustard: Just a teaspoon transforms the sauce with tang and a whisper of complexity.
• Fine sea salt & black pepper: Season generously to draw out all the flavors.
• Sharp cheddar cheese: Divided between the sauce and the bubbly topping, cheddar gives this casserole its golden, melty magic.
• Cooked chicken: Dice or shred leftover chicken—or use a rotisserie chicken to make things easy!

Variations

The beauty of this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole is how easily it adapts to what you love or what you have on hand. Don’t be afraid to get creative—just swap, add, or tweak to make the casserole work for your mood or your menu!

• Swap the Protein: Turkey, ham, or even a can of drained white beans are delicious stand-ins if you’re out of chicken.
• Add Extra Veggies: Toss in bell peppers, chopped spinach, or frozen peas for more color and nutrition.
• Go Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pasta and a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to thicken the sauce.
• Lighten Up the Cheese: If you like, try part-skim mozzarella or reduce the cheese a tad for an even lighter casserole.

How to Make Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Step 1: Cook Pasta and Broccoli Together

Bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add your whole-wheat rotini and, just before it’s done, toss in the broccoli florets. This quick blanch softens the broccoli just enough while saving you a saucepan (and a bit of time)! Drain and set aside.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms

In a large skillet, heat butter or olive oil over medium-high. Add the sliced onion; let it sweat and caramelize ever so slightly for sweetness. Toss in the mushrooms and garlic, and cook until the mushrooms are golden and fragrant, soaking up all that gorgeous flavor.

Step 3: Make the Creamy Sauce

Sprinkle flour right into the pan and stir to coat the veggies—this is your secret weapon for a perfectly thick, homemade sauce. Gradually pour in the stock, stirring until any clumps vanish. Stir in the milk, Dijon, salt, and pepper. Cook until you reach a gentle simmer and the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and fold in half the shredded cheddar until silky and luscious.

Step 4: Assemble the Casserole

Get out your biggest 9×13-inch baking dish. Add the pasta, broccoli, creamy mushroom sauce, and cooked chicken. Toss gently to coat every morsel before smoothing it all into an even layer—this helps the flavors soak evenly through every bite.

Step 5: Bake and Finish with Cheese

Bake the casserole uncovered in a hot 400°F oven for 15 minutes. Then, pull it out, sprinkle on all remaining cheddar, and return to the oven for another 10 minutes. In this final step, the cheese melts to golden, bubbly perfection, just begging you to dig in.

How to Serve Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole

Garnishes

A final flourish of fresh herbs—think parsley, chives, or fresh thyme—takes this Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole from homey to restaurant-worthy. A crack of black pepper or a sprinkle of extra cheddar is a simple way to finish each serving with a punch of flavor and color.

Side Dishes

This hearty casserole pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad tossed in a tangy vinaigrette or a batch of roasted carrots. For bonus cozy points, serve with a savory whole-grain roll or slices of warm, crusty bread to soak up every drop of cheesy sauce.

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re feeding a crowd, scoop the casserole into individual ramekins for a cute, dinner-party-ready presentation. Or pack leftovers into mason jars for wholesome grab-and-go lunches. You can even serve it family-style, right out of the casserole dish for that nostalgic, comforting vibe.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let your Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole cool to room temperature before covering tightly and placing in the fridge. It keeps well for 3–4 days and the flavors actually deepen, making lunchtime leftovers a real treat!

Freezing

To freeze, simply cover the cooled casserole tightly with foil or transfer to an airtight, freezer-safe container. It freezes well for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.

Reheating

For best results, reheat Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole in a 350°F oven (uncovered) until heated through and bubbly. Single portions reheat nicely in the microwave—just add a splash of milk to keep everything creamy!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

There’s something magical about the way a bubbling dish of Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole makes everyone feel at home. I hope this recipe finds a cozy spot in your meal rotation and brings plenty of happy faces around your table—don’t forget to take that irresistible first bite while it’s still warm and cheesy!

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