Experienced cooks will raise their eyebrows when they see how this HEALTHY Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is made. But don’t judge until you try it – it works!!! Made from scratch, not a drop of cream, this is a complete meal that takes 5 minutes to prep, made in ONE baking dish and it’s absolutely delish. {350 cal per serving!}
The World’s EASIEST Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake!
This is comfort food for busy people, dedicated to all those back home in Australia and everyone else around the world suffering through a blustery cold winter!
The method I use for this Ultra Lazy Healthy Chicken Pasta Bake certainly is unorthodox. Just plonk flour, uncooked pasta, raw chicken, vegetables, milk and chicken broth into the baking dish, give it a quick stir, then pop it into the oven. Pull it out partway through cooking, stir through cheese, then finish baking.
And what comes out is quite extraordinary. When you crack through that golden topping, you will be greeted with perfectly cooked pasta smothered in a creamy sauce that you’ve just made without a single drop of cream, without having to make a roux on the stove the traditional way béchamel and cheese sauces are made.
Not a hint of flouriness (thanks to the gluten in the pasta which also helps thicken the sauce) and the pasta is perfectly cooked – I blame my Japanese mother for raising me as a total snob about overcooked rice and this snobbery extends to pasta. There is actually sauce (hands up if you’ve suffered through dry pasta bakes!), and it’s a complete meal that’s light on the pasta, and heavy on broccoli + lean chicken.
I’m going to be completely honest with you about the difference between this and the traditional way of making creamy pasta bakes. My “go to” way is to start with a roux – like in this Seafood Gratin Pasta Bake, my Baked Mac and Cheese and my mother’s Chicken and Mushroom Macaroni Gratin ( <<— Childhood favourite, right here!). The sauce is silken and there’s more of it compared to this Ultra Lazy way.
If you look very closely, you will see that the sauce is a tiny bit split on the base of the baking dish. But you need to look really close to see it and it doesn’t taste split.
Very, very small compromise for a quick meal, in my humble view. 🙂
(Here’s a close up – you can see what I am describing in the bottom left corner)
I didn’t create this Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake as a hack. It came about because of a man who lives in his van at the local dog park who I regularly take hot meals to. He always insists that I mustn’t go out of my way to bring him meals, and that in itself plus me being me just feels some sort of obligation to ensure I take meals to him regularly.
I had skipped a few days and I was standing in my kitchen, flustered at the mound of dirty dishes and peeved because of a failed video shoot and wanted to make something quickly.
Threw this Ultra Lazy Pasta Bake together using leftover vegetables thinking it “should be ok”, was blown away how well it actually worked, got the thumbs up from the homeless man, had it myself for dinner then decided to share it here. 🙂 – Nagi x
More big, juicy pasta bakes
Baked Ziti – the mother of all pasta bakes!
Tuna Pasta Bake – the highest and best use for canned tuna!
Baked Mac and Cheese – and try the Shrimp version!
Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
Browse all pasta recipes
Watch how to make it
Ultra Lazy HEALTHY Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake recipe video!
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Ultra Lazy Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake
Ingredients
- 400g / 14 oz chicken tenderloin (raw) , breast or thigh, cut into 1.5cm / 3/5″ pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tsp dried thyme (or other herbs and/or spices of choice)
- 250g / 8 oz spiral pasta, uncooked (See Note 1 for other shapes)
- 1/4 cup flour (all purpose / plain)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth/stock , warmed
- 2 cups milk , warmed (any fat %)
- 1 large garlic clove , minced
- 2 tbsp / 30g unsalted butter , recommended but optional
- 1 large broccoli or 2 medium broccoli or cauliflower, broken into small to medium florets (Note 2 for subs)
- 1 1/2 cups (tightly packed) shredded cheddar or colby cheese (or tasty cheese, pizza mix etc, Note 3)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C/390°F (180°C fan-forced).
- Sprinkle chicken with salt (be generous), pepper and thyme, toss to coat.
- Spread pasta in a 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" baking dish. Sprinkle flour all across the surface (don't dump in clump else it won't dissolve). Pour over milk and broth, add garlic and butter. Stir.
- Spread chicken over the top, then broccoli.
- Cover with foil, bake for 15 minutes (or 20 minutes if milk & broth were cold).
- Remove foil, STIR WELL. Add most of the cheese, then STIR WELL again. Top with remaining cheese.
- Return to oven. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes until top is golden and sauce is thickened (See note 4 for troubleshooting).
- Stand for a few minutes then serve immediately!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
More chicken and broccoli recipes
For those of you who, like me, find yourself putting both of these in your trolley week after week…
Life of Dozer
I always joke about how when I’m away, Dozer doesn’t miss me at all because he’s too busy enjoying his own holiday with a Golden Retriever boarder.
But apparently, when she takes Dozer to the beach, he breaks away from the pack and sprints up to “dark haired people of my shape”, then bolts back when he realises it’s not me.
I didn’t know what to react to first – pleased as punch at the first sign that he does actually seem to miss me, or bursting into laughter at her delicately phrased description that Dozer only runs towards vertically challenged, dark haired women with generously sized bottoms!!!
Svetlana says
Another simple (rather than silly) question. ; ) What size baking dish do you use for this? I’m famous for having things overflow inside the oven, so I figured I’d best ask. It looks SO nummy and fabulous, and I can’t wait to try it. Thank you!
Nagi says
Hi Svetlana! I’m not home at the moment but I think it is about 8 L / 8 quarts 🙂 This shouldn’t overflow, it doesn’t bubble up because the broccoli and foil stop it from bubbling. 🙂 N xx
Judy says
Do you know how many points this would be on the weight watchers plan
Nagi says
I’m not sure sorry Judy 🙂
Tracy says
Can this be put together ahead of time, put in the fridge then baked as instructed (with cheese added mid bake)? Thanks!! 🙂
Nagi says
Hi Tracy, sorry I don’t recommend that, I would keep the liquids separate then add them just before baking 🙂 N xx
Beth says
Can you use gluten free pasta? Or should I cook the gluten free pasta first and just hat everything together?e
Nagi says
Hi Beth! I’m afraid I haven’t tried this with GF pasta and also this recipe is not intended for pre cooked pasta. Sorry! 🙁 N xx
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
I am making this as soon as possible. It looks so good!
Nagi says
I bet YOU do a mean pasta bake Dorothy! N xx
Linda Robinson says
Hi there, I have made similar recipe, included cauliflower (plus the broccoli) and a bit of curry spice. An ALL time favorite staple, that I had forgotten about. Thanks for sharing….
Nagi says
Ooh! Love the idea of a touch of curry! 🙂 N xx
Robert says
so I am new to the cooking realm but this looks so amazing! pardon my dumb question, but can we use canned chicken (precooked I am assuming) in place of the raw in this recipe? I saw your note about tuna and assume the canned chicken would be ok but just thought I would ask.
Any other easy/light recipes like this?! thank you!!
Nagi says
No dumb questions around here!! That’s a good question – yes recooked chicken will be fine in this 🙂 N xx
Missy says
I Am absolutely bookmarking this! Love the lightened up recipe and it sounds like a great weeknight meal when you need something warm and comforting! I do a lot of weeknight meals over on http://www.behindtheplates.com too which you might be interested in-check it out!!
May says
Made this with the intent of reheating the following night (no microwave here just oven). It turned out well, the only changes we made was whole grain pasta and parmesean at the table. The night I baked it, it did have a watery curdled like consistency, but after sitting over night it firmed up and was a comforting meal. Plus a way to use all the brocoli in my garden (its summer in the pacific nw, but on a gloomy day i still use my oven!). Thank you for helping me feed my family again!
Nagi says
Hi May! I’m sorry it seemed to look curdled to you, to be honest I am not sure if whole grain would work as well for this recipe as I don’t know if it releases gluten at the same rate as normal pasta. I will give it a go myself one day and update the recipe with notes if it affects this recipe 🙂 N x
Helen @ Scrummy Lane says
Firstly. LOL. I am killing myself laughing at today’s ‘Life of Dozer’! Hilarious.
Secondly. Where has this all-in-one pasta idea been all my life?
So perfect for life with a newborn. I can just imagine you (and myself) standing there just dumping everything into the dish. This takes easy cooking to a new level, but I’m soooo in! 🙂
Nagi says
I can’t believe you’re managing to blog! You’re a miracle mum! 🙂 N xx
RichardK says
I was amazed at how simple and how seriously enjoyable this was! The whole family loved it, including my twin 1yr old girls. We will definitely be cooking this regularly.
Nagi says
Yesssss! So pleased your family enjoyed it 🙂 Good one to have up your sleeve for busy nights! N xx
Angela says
This recipe is the best!!!! 10/10.
I added sundried tomotoes and breadcrumbs with Italian herb spices
Will definitely make again.
Nagi says
YUM to sun dried tomatoes!!! So pleased you enjoyed this Angela, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Ron says
A simple and comfortable meal, that’s what your pasta bake recipe sounds like. Sounds perfect for cool rainy summer evening. Thanks for sharing!
Aren’t our dogs such joys? Well most of the time.
Nagi says
“Most of the time” is RIGHT!!! 😜 N x
Edilia Ford says
Nagi #legend.
We made this recipe out of burning curiosity. Ok you got us-it will now become a high rotation winter meal. It was absolutely delicious. Easy Saturday night dinner and I have leftovers for Monday night dinner. Thank you. ❤️ Your work.
Nagi says
WHOOT! And it’s YOU who’s the #legend for having faith and giving this a go! So pleased you enjoyed it, thank you for letting me know! N xx
Simon says
I love your recipes and was looking forward to making this one, I followed the recipe to the letter but it was a total disaster! Undercooked chicken, very runny sauce, went straight into the bin, totally inedible. I used a pyrex dish, would that be the problem?
Nagi says
Hi Simon, I’m really sorry to hear that. It’s strange that with over 30 minutes of bake time that the chicken would still be undercooked, all I can think is that your oven is quite weak? Pyrex dish wouldn’t be the problem. 🙂 N xx
BARBARA SASSANO says
Does the chicken start out raw or cooked?
Nagi says
Hi Barbara! Raw 🙂 N x
Eha says
Sugar: this one really will go into the daily menu! Honestly would not have thought this pasta shortcut would have worked!!!! What a blessing if it can become one of my new superfast [and the ‘h’ word comes into play!] list! Thanks a million!!!!
Nagi says
I didn’t think it would work either! I thought it would “just” be ok, but honestly, you can see in the video, it really really works! N xx
Vera G says
Good one Nagi! Simple things in life are the BEST! Also Love the way you are kind to homeless man, BRAVO! No doubt you and I are making this world a better place . Have done 15 y voluntary work- 3,4 months a year plus always looking after neighbours, old and on there own, would do cooking for them, shopping, put bins out, in, mail etc. Am at no4 but am helping as far asno22, 2013/14, had 4 neighbours after hospital and surgery to look after. Please do not feel oblige just think of GOOD KARMA. Back home saying is: man do not live alone on bread and butter, we need each other, land needs man and vs verse. Can’t stop thinking Barbara S. song- People who need other people are theLYCKIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD.! You will get back what you put in. If someone does or gives me something I would return good deed for someone else, no buying gifts just kindness, even talking to lonely person means the world to them. Thank you for been good person.! Love, Love dearly Dozer photo. Have good w/end! Regards, Vera.
Nagi says
You are so kind hearted Vera, I always knew that! And I do believe in good karma – what comes around, goes around, don’t you think? 🙂 N xx
Hayden says
If you don’t mind me asking, where did you get the bowl from? It’s so unique and pretty!
Nagi says
Hi Hayden! Of course i don’t mind 🙂 It is by an Australian Ceramicist call Marie Helene (she’s French). She is a professional food stylist and I met her on a magazine shoot. Here is her website – oh , and that bowl is called a Nagi bowl! No jokes 🙂 http://mhceramics.net
Mary Tognazzini says
Love one pot meals even when it’s hot. A toaster oven out in the patio does the trick. Our dogs Dexter and Posum pine away and act like they are dying when we leave for a short run to town.
True love.
Nagi says
Ba ha ha!!!! I think that’s why I feel so fragile – I don’t get any barking, whining, crying or ANYTHING when I leave town!!! 😉 N xx