Cheese and Broccoli Pasta - This recipe from my sister's Mother in law. In it, Pasta is combined with Broccoli and Red Pepper in a creamy cheesy sauce. This is the perfect comfort food for busy days.
Cheese and Broccoli Pasta
This Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is a family favourite.
It is a simple recipe that tastes reallllly good.
Pasta smothered in a creamy sauce is topped with a golden cheesy crust.
I make this in the oven to make life easier.
This dish is perfect if you:
Want to use up Broccoli.
You are super busy.
You want to get veg into the family without them complaining.
Ingredients in Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Pasta
The basic ingredients you need for this Cheese and Broccoli Pasta are:
Broccoli – ½ a head cut into florets
Red Peppers cut into strips
Onions diced
Any shape Pasta
Chicken Breast cut into strips
Cheese – Cheddar
Oil
Garlic
Plain Flour
Butter
Double Cream or Milk
Salt & Pepper
Oregano
How to make Cheese and Broccoli Pasta Bake
This is a very effortless recipe and that is why it is perfect to make for a midweek meal:
Boil Pasta and reserve ¼ cup of cooking water.
Heat oil in pot over medium high heat and add the butter.
Add the onions and cook until lightly golden (around 7 minutes).
Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 minutes before adding the chicken.
Add the red pepper and broccoli.
Cook for 3 - 4 minutes then add paprika, cayenne, herbs, salt and pepper. Saute then remove from heat.
Stir in Pasta.
Make a white sauce using Double Cream in place of milk. Check seasoning, then stir into Pasta.
Add all to a deep baking dish, top with cheese and bake at 190 C/Gas Mark 5 for 25 minutes.
Top tips to make this Recipe
Pasta - any shape pasta is fine here. Aside from Spaghetti/Linguine. Also don't use the really tiny Macaroni shapes.
Broccoli - Cauliflower would also work in this recipe.
Cheese - Cheddar. Mozzarella, Red Leicester or any cheese that melts well will work.
Herbs - I love Oregano in this recipe but mixed herbs work well too.
A spoonful of Dijon Mustard mixed in with the white sauce works really well too.
Milk can be used in place of Double Cream.
How to Store and Reheat
Keep covered in a fridge for 3 days. Reheat in the Microwave.
You can freeze Pasta Bake in an airtight container for up to 3 - 4 months.
To reheat either reheat gently on the hob with a splash of water or in the Microwave.
MORE PASTA RECIPES
Marks and Spencer Copycat Spinach, Pesto and Pine Nut Pasta
Kawsay or Khow suey – Chicken and spaghetti in coconut milk
**if you make this recipe, please rate/comment below. we love to hear from you and seeing your creations makes our day – safira
Cheese and Broccoli Pasta
Ingredients
Pasta
- 500 g Pasta Boiled, Drain but reserve ¼ cup of the water
Veg
- 1 tablespoon Oil
- 1 tablespoon Butter
- 2 Onions Diced
- 1.5 teaspoon Crushed Garlic
- 2 lb Chicken Breast Cut into strips
- 1 Red Pepper Cut into strips
- ½ Broccoli Chopped into florets
- 1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika Optional
- ½ teaspoon Cayenne Pepper Optional
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano or Mixed Herbs
- Salt and Pepper
White Sauce
- 80 g Butter
- 80 g Plain Flour
- Salt and Pepper
- 800 ml Double Cream or Milk
Topping
- 200 g Cheddar Cheese
Instructions
Pasta and Veg
- Heat oil in pot over medium high heat and add the butter.
- Add the onions and cook until lightly golden (around 7 minutes).
- Stir in the garlic and cook for 2 minutes before adding the chicken.
- Saute for 5 minutes, then add the red pepper and broccoli.
- Cook for 3 - 4 minutes and add Paprika, Cayenne Pepper, Mixed Herbs and Salt & Pepper.
- Stir for 2 - 3 minutes and then stir in the pasta and water. Remove from heat.
White Sauce
- In a seperate pot over medium low heat, melt the butter.
- Whisk the flour into the melted butter and season.
- Cook over low heat and continue to stir. Skipping this step results in a floury taste.
- The mixture will begin to thicken slowly. Continue to cook over a low heat, checking every 20 - 30 seconds.
- When the mixture hasn't thickened, turn up the heat slightly, then slowly add the cream, stirring continuously.
- Bring to a low simmer and continue cooking over a low heat till thickened. Around 10 minutes.
Assemble and Bake
- Preheat oven to Gas Mark 5, 190 C.
- Pour the white sauce into the pasta and mix through.
- Add the mixture to an oven proof dish. I used a square 25cm one.
- Sprinkle over the cheese.
- Bake for 25 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Notes
Recipe Notes:
- Pasta - any shape pasta is fine here. Aside from Spaghetti/Linguine.
- Broccoli - Cauliflower would also work in this recipe.
- Cheese - Cheddar. Mozzarella or any cheese that melts well will work.
- Herbs - I love Oregano in this recipe but mixed herbs work well too.
- A spoonful of Dijon Mustard mixed in with the white sauce works really well too.
- Milk can be used in place of Double Cream.
Rizwana says
I can vouch for the deliciousness of this recipe...a favourite in my home too!
Safira says
Thanks to Kulsum Masi the legend MA.