Description
This comforting Chicken Noodle Casserole features tender rotini pasta, healthy broccoli florets, and shredded cooked chicken breast all enveloped in a creamy homemade cheese sauce. Topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to bubbly perfection, it’s an easy and satisfying meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Produce
- 3 cups broccoli florets (cut into bite-size pieces)
- 1 cup chopped yellow onion
Pasta
- 8 ounces rotini pasta
Dairy
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (8 ounces, divided)
Meat
- 2 ½ cups chopped cooked chicken breast
Pantry
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375° F to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Pasta and Broccoli: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, adding the chopped broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Sauté Onions: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 4-5 minutes.
- Make Sauce: Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and whisk continuously for 30 seconds to eliminate raw flour taste. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and whole milk, then add Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking and whisking for 3-5 minutes until the sauce thickens.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chopped cooked chicken, cooked pasta, broccoli, and half of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a 13×9-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Top evenly with the remaining shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes until the casserole is hot, bubbly, and the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Notes
- This chicken noodle casserole is a cozy, comforting dish perfect for family meals.
- The homemade cream sauce adds richness without needing canned soups.
- Add vegetables like peas or carrots for extra nutrition and color.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels.
- Leftovers can be stored refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 396 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 31 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 82 mg
