Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole takes everything comforting about classic chicken casseroles and lightens it up with a homemade creamy cheddar mushroom sauce, plenty of broccoli, and your choice of pasta. This version skips canned soups and instead uses fresh mushrooms, milk, stock, and Dijon for a rich but more wholesome base around tender chicken and pasta.
Healthier broccoli chicken casserole comfort
Why this casserole feels lighter but still cozy
This healthier broccoli chicken casserole uses a from-scratch sauce made with stock, milk, sautéed onions, mushrooms, and just enough sharp cheddar to keep it creamy and satisfying. Extra broccoli and the option to use whole-wheat or alternative-grain pasta boost fiber and nutrients without losing that classic cheesy, baked comfort food vibe.
Simple ingredients with flexible options
You can make this casserole with any pasta type—traditional, whole-wheat, gluten-free, or grain-free—plus fresh or frozen broccoli, cooked chicken, and baby bella mushrooms. The recipe also lets you swap chicken stock for vegetable stock and adjust cheese types, making it easy to fit different tastes and dietary needs while keeping the “healthier broccoli chicken casserole” focus.
Healthier broccoli chicken casserole comfort
Cozy flavor in a lighter casserole
Healthier broccoli chicken casserole brings together tender chicken, al dente pasta, and broccoli in a creamy cheddar mushroom sauce that feels indulgent yet more wholesome. The homemade sauce skips canned soup and instead uses milk, stock, Dijon, and sautéed vegetables for rich flavor with more control over ingredients.
Key ingredients that make it “healthier”
Using whole-wheat or alternative-grain pasta and plenty of broccoli adds extra fiber and nutrients to this healthier broccoli chicken casserole. Lean cooked chicken and a reasonable amount of sharp cheddar keep the dish high in protein and satisfying without being overly heavy.
Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta* I used whole-wheat rotini
- 1 large head of broccoli* cut into bite-sized florets (about 1 pound of florets)
- 2 tablespoons butter or olive oil
- 1 small white onion thinly sliced
- 8 ounces baby bella cremini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly-cracked black pepper
- 2 cups 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400°F.
- Cook pasta in a large stockpot of generously-salted boiling water until it is al dente. However, about 1 minute before the pasta is done, add the broccoli to the boiling pasta water and stir until combined. Drain both the pasta and broccoli, and set aside.
- Meanwhile, heat the butter (or oil) in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and sauté for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the mushrooms and garlic and sauté for 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally, or until the mushrooms are cooked through.
- Sprinkle the flour evenly over the onion mixture and stir until combined. Cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add in the stock, and stir everything together until most of the clumps are gone. Add in the milk, Dijon, salt and pepper and stir until combined. Continue cooking the sauce until it reaches a simmer. Then remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese until it is combined. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- In a large 9 x 13-inch baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, broccoli, mushroom sauce and chicken. Toss until combined. Smooth the casserole out into an even layer.
- Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Then remove pan from the oven, sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly on top of the casserole, and bake for 10 more minutes or until the cheese is nice and melty.
- Serve warm, garnished with extra black pepper and/or fresh herbs, if desired.
Notes
How to Make Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Cooking Pasta and Broccoli Together
Cook 8 ounces of your choice of pasta al dente in generously salted boiling water, then add 1 pound of bite-sized broccoli florets during the last minute of cooking. Drain both together to save time and infuse the broccoli with pasta starch for better sauce adhesion.
Creating the Creamy Mushroom Sauce
Sauté thinly sliced onion, baby bella mushrooms, and minced garlic in butter or oil, then sprinkle with flour and cook briefly. Stir in chicken or vegetable stock, milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until simmering, then melt in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar for the perfect creamy base.
Baking Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Assembly for Even Flavor Distribution
Combine the cooked pasta, broccoli, mushroom sauce, and 2 cups diced cooked chicken in a 9×13 baking dish. Toss everything together and smooth into an even layer to ensure every bite contains chicken, veggies, pasta, and creamy sauce.
Perfect Baking for Melty Cheese Topping
Bake uncovered at 400°F for 15 minutes, then sprinkle with the remaining 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Bake 10 more minutes until the cheese melts beautifully and the casserole bubbles around the edges for that perfect comforting finish.
Storage and Serving Tips for Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Make-Ahead and Freezer-Friendly Storage
Store leftovers of healthier broccoli chicken casserole in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze portions for up to 3 months. Reheat individual servings in the microwave or oven to restore creaminess without drying out.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
Serve healthier broccoli chicken casserole warm with a sprinkle of fresh black pepper or chopped herbs for brightness. Pair with a simple green salad or roasted vegetables to round out the meal while keeping the focus on this comforting, veggie-packed main dish.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthier Broccoli Chicken Casserole
Can I Use Frozen Broccoli Instead of Fresh?
Yes, use 1 pound of thawed frozen broccoli florets in place of fresh for healthier broccoli chicken casserole. Add them to the pasta water during the last minute of cooking just like fresh broccoli for perfect texture.
What Types of Pasta Work Best in This Recipe?
Any pasta works beautifully—traditional semolina, whole-wheat, gluten-free, egg noodles, or alternative-grain pasta all pair perfectly with the creamy mushroom sauce in healthier broccoli chicken casserole.
Is This Casserole Freezer-Friendly?
Absolutely! Assemble and freeze healthier broccoli chicken casserole before the final bake, or freeze leftovers in portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight and bake or reheat as directed.
Can I Make It Vegetarian?
Swap chicken for white beans or tofu and use vegetable stock to create a delicious vegetarian version of healthier broccoli chicken casserole that maintains the same creamy texture and flavor.
Conclusion
Healthier broccoli chicken casserole delivers all the comforting cheesy goodness of classic casseroles with lighter, from-scratch ingredients everyone loves. Tender chicken, plenty of broccoli, and your choice of pasta bake together in a creamy cheddar mushroom sauce for weeknight perfection. With flexible pasta options and easy storage, this wholesome dish becomes a family favorite fast.
