Pesto Chicken Pasta Bake – Creamy Family Meal
A creamy, cheesy, herbaceous baked pasta dish made with pesto, chicken, broccoli, and melty cheese — perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 300g penne or rigatoni
- 2 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1½ cups cream or evaporated milk
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella
- Salt, pepper, chili flakes to taste
- Optional: parmesan or breadcrumbs for topping
Instructions
- Cook pasta and broccoli, drain and set aside.
- In a pan, heat butter and cream, then stir in pesto. Simmer 3–4 min.
- Combine pasta, chicken, broccoli, and sauce in baking dish.
- Top with cheese and bake at 375°F for 30–35 minutes.
- Let cool 5–10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Swap chicken for shrimp, tofu, or sausage.
- Use gluten-free pasta and dairy-free ingredients as needed.
- Add sun-dried tomatoes or spinach for variation.