If you’re craving a cozy yet simple dinner that your whole family will adore, then you’re in for a treat with this Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe. I absolutely love this dish because it strikes the perfect balance between creamy, cheesy, and wholesome, all wrapped up with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli. When I first tried this recipe, it quickly became a favorite in my home, and I think you’ll find it just as comforting and delicious as I do. Stick around—I’ll walk you through every step and share my personal tips so you can nail this casserole every time.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Super Easy Prep: You just need one skillet and a baking dish, making cleanup a breeze.
Comfort Food Classic: Creamy sauce, melted cheese, and tender chicken—it hits all those cozy craving points.
Family Friendly: Even picky eaters in my house gobble this up without complaint.
Customizable: You can easily swap veggies or cheese to suit your taste or what you have on hand.

A white plate on a white marbled surface holds a serving of rotini pasta mixed with chunks of cooked chicken, bright green broccoli florets, and melted yellow cheese drizzled unevenly over the top. The pasta spirals are pale cream and slightly glossy, nestled closely with tender pieces of chicken and small green broccoli heads, all lightly sprinkled with small bits of fresh green herbs. A silver fork rests partially on the right edge of the plate, with its tines touching some pasta. There is a gray cloth napkin in the lower right corner and a partial view of another white plate and a glass baking dish in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole, chicken noodle casserole, creamy chicken pasta bake, family-friendly dinner recipes, simple casserole ideas

Ingredients You’ll Need

This Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together beautifully. The rotini pasta is perfect because its spiral shape holds onto that dreamy sauce, and broccoli adds a fresh crunch and nutritional boost. I’ve found that grabbing good-quality shredded cheddar cheese really makes a difference in flavor and meltiness.

Flat lay of a small pile of uncooked rotini pasta spirals, fresh bright green broccoli florets cut into bite-size pieces, three glossy unsalted butter cubes, a small mound of finely chopped yellow onion, a small heap of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl filled with pale golden chicken broth, another small white ceramic bowl holding creamy whole milk, a tiny white ceramic bowl with mixed Italian seasoning herbs, a separate tiny white ceramic bowl containing fine garlic powder, a small white ceramic bowl with coarse salt crystals, another small white ceramic bowl with ground black pepper, bite-size pieces of cooked chicken breast arranged naturally, and a neat pile of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, all arranged symmetrically and balanced on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997 - Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole, chicken noodle casserole, creamy chicken pasta bake, family-friendly dinner recipes, simple casserole ideas

Rotini pasta: The spirals trap the creamy sauce, giving you flavor in every bite.
Broccoli florets: I love adding them last in the boiling water so they stay bright and slightly crisp.
Unsalted butter: Using unsalted gives you control over the seasoning of the entire dish.
Yellow onion: Adds a sweet, aromatic base when sautéed—don’t skip!
All-purpose flour: For thickening that homemade cream sauce—fresh flour tastes better here than pre-mixed thickeners.
Low sodium chicken broth: Keeps the sauce flavorful without overpowering saltiness.
Whole milk: Makes the sauce rich and velvety; don’t substitute with skim or you’ll lose creaminess.
Italian seasoning: Brings in herbaceous notes that warm up the casserole.
Garlic powder: Adds depth without the hassle of fresh garlic.
Salt and pepper: To taste—season your sauce carefully!
Cooked chicken breast: Perfect way to use leftovers or rotisserie chicken; juicy and tender is key.
Shredded cheddar cheese: Sharp or mild works; I like a sharper cheddar for bold flavor.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe is how adaptable it is. Over time, I’ve played around with different veggies and cheeses depending on what’s in my fridge, and it all turns out wonderfully. Feel free to make it your own!

Swap the veggies: I sometimes use cauliflower or green beans instead of broccoli—just toss ’em in during the last minute or two of boiling to keep that perfect tender-crisp texture.
Dairy-free version: Use a plant-based butter and milk alternative; the sauce won’t be quite as creamy but still tasty.
Spicy kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños for a little heat. My family loves this twist when we want something exciting.
Different cheeses: Try pepper jack for some spice or mozzarella for gooey meltiness. Mixing cheeses can elevate the casserole.

How to Make Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Step 1: Cook Pasta and Broccoli Together

Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your rotini pasta, and after it’s been boiling for about 6 minutes (or whatever the package says minus 2 minutes), toss in the broccoli florets. This trick makes sure your broccoli is perfectly tender, not mushy, when the casserole bakes. Once done, drain everything and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and keep the broccoli bright and crisp.

Step 2: Whip Up the Cream Sauce

While the pasta boils, melt your butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the chopped yellow onion and stir occasionally until it’s soft and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. This gives the sauce a sweet foundation. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and whisk constantly for 30 seconds to cook out any raw flour taste—this little detail makes a world of difference in texture and flavor.

Next, slowly whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk, making sure to keep stirring so your sauce stays silky and lump-free. Add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Cook, whisking often, for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency.

Step 3: Combine and Bake

Remove the sauce from heat, then stir in the cooked chicken, drained pasta, broccoli, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. I learned that folding cheese in here before baking ensures that every bite is cheesy and satisfying. Spread this mixture evenly in a 13×9-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar on top — this creates that gorgeous melted cheese crust that makes this casserole irresistible.

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 375° F for 15 minutes. Removing the foil for the last 5 minutes browns and bubbles the top to perfection. Keep an eye so it doesn’t overcook; you want melty cheese, not dry edges.

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Pro Tips for Making Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

Perfect Pasta Texture: Don’t overcook your pasta – al dente holds up better after baking and prevents mushiness.
Rinse Pasta & Veggies: Rinsing under cold water stops the cooking and keeps broccoli crisp, which is a game changer.
Choosing Chicken: Leftover rotisserie or poached chicken works beautifully, saving you time and adding moisture.
Cheese Layer Trick: Adding half the cheese inside the casserole and half on top gives melty interior cheese and a golden crust.

How to Serve Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe

A white plate holds a serving of pasta made with spiral-shaped noodles mixed with chunks of light-colored cooked chicken and small, bright green broccoli florets, all coated in a creamy light yellow cheese sauce with a slightly shiny texture; the dish is placed on a white marbled surface next to a partially visible glass baking dish filled with more pasta, a small bunch of fresh parsley with deep green leaves, and a folded light gray cloth napkin holding three metal forks. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole, chicken noodle casserole, creamy chicken pasta bake, family-friendly dinner recipes, simple casserole ideas

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle some freshly chopped parsley or chives on top for a pop of color and mild freshness. A little cracked black pepper and a side of hot sauce can also jazz up the flavor if you want a bit of a kick. Trust me, a handful of herby greens brightens this rich dish perfectly!

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are simple and healthy—think a crisp green salad or roasted carrots with honey glaze to complement the creamy casserole. Sometimes I serve a crusty bread or garlic knots to soak up the cheesy sauce, and everyone’s usually licking their plates clean.

Creative Ways to Present

For family gatherings or potlucks, I like to bake this casserole in individual oven-safe ramekins—so cute and convenient! Another fun idea I discovered is topping each serving with a little breadcrumb and grated parmesan mixture before baking, adding a crunchy texture contrast that wows guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

When my family has leftovers, I transfer portions into airtight containers and store them in the fridge. This casserole keeps well for about 3-4 days, and flavors actually deepen overnight, so you get even better tasting meals the next day.

Freezing

I’ve successfully frozen this casserole both pre- and post-baking. Just be sure to cool completely before freezing. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge for best results, then warm in the oven to get that melty cheese texture back.

Reheating

For reheating, the oven works best—set it at 350° F, cover with foil to prevent drying out, and heat for 20-25 minutes. If you’re in a hurry, a quick zap in the microwave works, but the cheese won’t be quite as bubbly.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of pasta for this casserole?

Absolutely! While rotini is great for trapping sauce, penne, elbow macaroni, or even egg noodles work perfectly. Just make sure to cook the pasta al dente and adjust boiling time accordingly to avoid mushy noodles.
Is it okay to use frozen broccoli instead of fresh?

You can use frozen broccoli, but I recommend thawing and draining it well before mixing it in. Otherwise, excess water may make the casserole watery. Adding frozen broccoli directly to boiling water with the pasta is less ideal as it tends to overcook easily.
Can I make this casserole vegetarian?

Sure! Just replace the chicken with cooked mushrooms, tofu, or additional vegetables like zucchini and bell peppers. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for the sauce. It’ll still be creamy and delicious!
How do I ensure the cheese melts perfectly in the casserole?

Using shredded cheese rather than slices helps it melt faster and more evenly. Also, mixing half the cheese into the casserole before baking and sprinkling the other half on top creates that gooey interior and golden, melty crust we all love.

Final Thoughts

My Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe is one of those meals I turn to when I want comfort, ease, and something that genuinely brings everyone to the table smiling. It’s nourishing, hearty, and kind enough to be a weeknight dinner or a potluck superstar. I hope you enjoy making it as much as my family and I do—I promise it’ll become a go-to in your recipe box, too!