Description
A healthy and comforting Chicken Broccoli Pasta Casserole that combines whole wheat pasta, roasted broccoli, tender chicken, and a creamy cashew-based sauce. This dish is baked to perfection with melted cheese on top, making it a nutritious and delicious meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Vegetables
- 8 ounces whole wheat rotini pasta (or any pasta)
- 3-4 cups broccoli florets
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Protein and Cheese
- 3 cups cooked chicken, cubed
- 2 cups regular or vegan shredded cheese, divided
Cashew Sauce
- 1/2 cup creamy cashew butter
- 3/4 cup unsweetened plain cashew milk (or almond milk)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/4 cup almond flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). At the same time, start boiling a pot of water to cook the pasta later.
- Roast broccoli: Place the broccoli florets in a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Drizzle with avocado oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the broccoli in the oven for 15 minutes until tender and slightly crispy.
- Cook pasta: While the broccoli is roasting, cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- Make cashew sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the creamy cashew butter, unsweetened cashew milk, chicken or vegetable broth, almond flour, garlic powder, paprika, dried parsley, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Assemble casserole: Into the casserole dish with roasted broccoli, add the cooked pasta, cubed chicken, 1 cup of the shredded cheese, and the prepared cashew sauce. Mix everything well to combine evenly. Then, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top of the mixture.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly on top.
- Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to settle and prevent burns while eating.
Notes
- You can substitute whole wheat rotini with any pasta of your choice.
- For a vegan version, use vegan shredded cheese and vegetable broth.
- Adjust seasoning such as salt, pepper, and paprika to taste.
- To save time, use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
