The Ultimate Comfort – Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Penne Bake
If you’re looking for a meal that will have your family begging for thirds, you’ve found it. This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Penne Bake is the definition of comfort food. It combines tender penne pasta, succulent chicken, and healthy broccoli florets, all smothered in a rich, creamy cheese sauce and baked until bubbly.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Crowd-Pleaser: From picky toddlers to hungry adults, everyone loves melted cheese and pasta.
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Meal Prep Friendly: This tastes even better the next day and freezes beautifully.
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One-Pan Vibes: While you boil the pasta separately, the baking dish does the heavy lifting in the oven.
PIngredients & Essential Kitchen Tools
Before we get cooking, let’s make sure your workstation is ready. To achieve that perfect golden crust seen in the photo, quality cheese is key!
What You’ll Need:
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Pasta: 1 lb (16 oz) Penne Rigate (the ridges hold the sauce better!).
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Protein: 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (Rotisserie chicken works great for speed).
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Vegetables: 2 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
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The Cheese Blend: 2 cups Shredded Cheddar and 1 cup Mozzarella for that perfect “pull.”
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Creamy Base: 1 jar (15 oz) of high-quality Alfredo sauce or a homemade Béchamel.
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Seasonings: 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
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Garnish: Freshly chopped parsley and a sprinkle of paprika for color.
Equipment:
