Easy Chicken Broccoli Pasta Bake

The Easiest Chicken Pasta Bake

Dinner time is always so hectic, and after becoming a mom, one pot meals are just about the only type of cooking I do now! And while I’ve cooked pasta along with the sauce on the stovetop before, I wasn’t sure if it’d work in the oven. I knew the liquid to pasta ratio and the cooking time were important but even still, would the pasta get too mushy? Well, after much experimentation, I nailed it with this healthy chicken pasta bake with broccoli! The pasta AND the chicken get perfectly cooked and flavorful as they soak up all the sauce. Plus, pasta releases starch as it cooks, making the sauce thick and creamy. Delish! So just dump everything into a baking dish, cover, put in the oven, and go on about your day! A delicious, hearty meal awaits you. Hungry for more? Here are more healthy and delicious kid-friendly dinner recipes!

Ingredients

I am highlighting just the ones that need further explanation. The complete list is in the recipe card below.

Pasta – Be sure to use a short shaped pasta with ridges or grooves as it really soaks up the sauce. My personal favorite is rotini. You can use regular or whole wheat pasta. I don’t recommend legume-based pasta for this recipe. If you need a gluten-free option, rice-based pasta will work best. Chicken – Can use either the chicken breast or thigh meat. And here are more healthy toddler and kid-friendly chicken recipes! Broccoli – Be sure to chop into small florets. You can also use frozen broccoli. There’s no need to thaw. Tomato sauce – feel free to use your favorite canned or jarred sauce. If planning to enjoy with your baby, I recommend grabbing the no-salt-added or low-sodium option. I’ve tried with plain tomato puree and it worked great too! Or want to boost nutrition even more? Use this hidden veggie pasta sauce. Milk – I like using whole milk for extra creaminess and because fat is so important for optimal brain development in the early years. Ricotta – Again, I recommend whole milk ricotta. And in case you’re wondering, here are the best cheeses for babies and toddlers.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. Add pasta to the casserole dish along with bite-sized pieces of chicken, broccoli florets, and seasonings. Pour the tomato sauce and milk and stir to combine. Make sure all the pasta is completely submerged. Dollop ricotta cheese evenly over the mixture. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese. Cover the dish – I like to use a baking mat but aluminum foil works too. Bake for 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and uncover. There will be a lot of liquid don’t worry! Place back in the oven and cook, uncovered, for an additional 20 minutes. Top with fresh basil or parsley, if desired.

Substitutions

Vegetarian? add any bean of choice Dairy-free? use your favorite plant-based milk, cheese, and ricotta. Canned coconut milk will add another layer of flavor to this dish! No broccoli? try with cauliflower, carrots, sweet potatoes, or any frozen vegetables. I love the corn, peas, and carrot medley.

Tips for Success

Do not use a legume-based pasta. While they’re great when cooked on the stovetop, they will get way too mushy in a no boil pasta bake like this recipe. Be sure to submerge the pasta completely under the sauce so you don’t end up with crunchy pieces. Enjoy with fresh herbs, freshly cracked black pepper, parmesan cheese, or whatever toppings you wish!

Serving Suggestions

A big bowl of this chicken broccoli bake is really all you need for a well-balanced meal. It has it all. Although a delicious side salad wouldn’t hurt. But if you have a picky eater or toddlers, who are notorious for unpredictable food preferences (and everything else!), be sure to include something that you know they love and will eat most of the time. That way, even if they reject the main meal, there is something on their plate that they can eat in addition to getting exposure to foods they haven’t quite opened up to, YET. Along the same lines, what you don’t want to do is offer a different meal, which can quickly spiral into you becoming a short order cook. Here are some more toddler dinner ideas and serving tips.

Storage

Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. If you want to freeze, I recommend doing so in individual portions. To reheat, you can microwave individual portions or cover the pasta and bake at 350°F until warm, about 20 minutes.