Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ultimate comfort food that brings together tender chicken, vibrant broccoli, and al dente pasta, all enveloped in a rich, creamy pesto sauce. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy family gatherings, this dish is not only easy to prepare but also delivers a satisfying meal that will impress everyone at your table. In under an hour, you can whip up this delightful one-dish wonder with minimal cleanup required. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just craving something delicious, this pasta bake is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne or rotini pasta
- 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups fresh broccoli florets
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a large baking dish.
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
- In a skillet over medium heat, heat oil and season the chicken with salt and pepper; cook for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown. Let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sliced chicken, steamed broccoli, pesto sauce, sour cream, and half of the shredded cheese; mix well.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly.
Notes
– For added flavor, marinate the chicken in pesto overnight before cooking.
– You can substitute other vegetables like spinach or zucchini for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 350g)
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 810mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 44g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 95mg