Description
A delicious, comforting meal that’s both nutritious and satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces uncooked pasta* (such as rotini, penne, or whole-wheat)
- 1 large head broccoli*, cut into bite-sized florets (about 1 pound)
- 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
- 1½ cups milk (any kind)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
- 2 cups cooked chicken, diced or shredded
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the uncooked pasta of your choice and cook until it is al dente, which typically takes about 8-10 minutes. One minute before the pasta is done, toss in the broccoli florets. This allows the broccoli to cook just enough so that it’s tender but still bright green and crisp. Once cooked, drain the pasta and broccoli together, shaking off any excess water.
- While the pasta and broccoli are cooking, heat the butter or olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for about three minutes until they’re translucent. Stir in the mushrooms and garlic, continuing to sauté for an additional five minutes until the mushrooms are softened. This step builds a robust flavor base for your sauce. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously for about a minute to ensure everything is coated evenly. Gradually whisk in the chicken or vegetable stock until the mixture is smooth.
- Add the milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to the sauté pan, whisking until fully combined. Allow the sauce to come to a gentle simmer, then remove it from the heat. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar until it is melted and the sauce is smooth. This creamy sauce is the heart of the casserole. In your prepared baking dish, combine the drained pasta, broccoli, chicken, and the delicious mushroom sauce. Toss everything gently to ensure that all ingredients are well-coated before spreading it into an even layer.
- Now it’s time to bring this comforting dish to life! Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes. After this initial baking time, remove the dish and sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheddar evenly on top. Return it to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling with a lovely golden top. Once done, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
Make sure to not overcook the pasta, as it will continue to cook while baking. Feel free to adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more milk if it’s too thick.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
Nutrition
- Calories: 400 per serving
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Protein: 28 g