Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese

Want a delicious way to sneak some protein and veggies into your favorite pasta dish? I’ve got you. This Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese lets you have all that baked creamy pasta you love, plus a healthy dose of lean protein and veggies. Win win!

Sneaking healthy stuff into my kids’ dinners when they were little was my go-to move. I credit this move with why they’re both veggie lovers now that they’re teenagers. And they’re also huge mac and cheese fans. I mean, who isn’t?

What’s in this cheesy chicken and pasta bake

Full disclosure, this is not what I’d call a healthy meal! We’re just throwing some healthy things into it. This Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese is, first and foremost, mac and cheese. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Shell pasta. I am currently obsessed with shellbow pasta. They’re a cross between shells and elbow shapes, but you can use any kind of short cut pasta you like.
• Chicken breast
• Broccoli. Fresh is best for this recipe.
• Cheddar cheese. The sharper the better.
• Aged gouda. Not to be confused with smoked gouda, this cheese is one of my all-time favorites. The price point is higher than cheddar, and the more aged it is, the more pricey it’s going to be. But so worth it.

• Milk. I have always used nonfat milk in my recipes, and it works beautifully. Use whatever you like.
• Butter
• Dry mustard
• Garlic
• Fresh rosemary and thyme. You can leave out the herbs if you have very picky eaters, but I love the understated earthy flavors they add.

How to make this Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese

You will be able to have this meal on the table in under an hour with just some simple multitasking.

Roast the chicken and broccoli on a sheet pan in the oven while you’re making the mac and cheese on the stove.

For the mac and cheese, just make a roux with the butter, garlic and flour. Don’t be intimidated by the fancy word roux – it’s just melted butter and flour! Then, pour in the milk, let it get hot and stir in the cheese and pasta.

Pop the chicken and broccoli out of the oven and add them into the mac and cheese.

At this point, you could serve this dish as is. I like to bake it for 20 minutes or so, because who doesn’t love that bubbly crust on top?

How to store Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese

This recipe makes a nice big 9×13 casserole, perfect for a big family meal. Cut the recipe in half for a smaller 8×8 baking dish.

If you have leftovers, this Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese freezes beautifully. And it’s so nice to be able to pop it out of the freezer on a night when you don’t feel like cooking. You can even reheat it in the oven directly from the freezer.

When you make this Chicken and Broccoli Mac and Cheese, I’d love to hear about it! Drop a rating or leave a comment below. Enjoy!

For more cozy pasta recipes, try these:

• Pasta alla Vodka with Sweet Peas and Bacon
• Vegetable Lasagna with White Sauce (Stouffer’s Copycat)
• Pesto Ricotta Stuffed Shells

For more chicken breast recipes, try these:

• Sesame Chicken and Broccoli
• Cheesy Chicken and Broccoli Bake
• Honey Mustard Chicken with Warm Potato Arugula Salad