Gouda Cheese & Broccoli Pasta Bake
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About this recipe
This Gouda Cheese & Broccoli Pasta Bake is the ultimate creamy, cheesy comfort dish with a rich depth of flavour. The smoky notes from the Gouda perfectly balance the sharpness of the cheddar and the mild, stretchy mozzarella, creating a velvety cheese sauce that coats every bite.
Tender, al dente pasta pairs beautifully with the slightly roasted, flavourful broccoli, adding a delicious contrast of textures. The golden, bubbly topping gives the bake a satisfying crunch, making every bite irresistible. The addition of perfectly seasoned, pan-seared chicken brings a savoury, hearty element that makes this dish a well-rounded meal.
Whether you're looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a cosy weekend dish, this pasta bake is guaranteed to be a hit. It’s rich, filling, and packed with flavour—perfect for feeding a family or meal-prepping for the week. Serve it fresh out of the oven for a melty, gooey bite, or enjoy the leftovers as the flavours deepen overnight. Either way, this cheesy chicken & broccoli pasta bake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
FAQ: Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Pasta Bake
Can pasta bake be frozen?
Yes! Let the pasta bake cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with foil. It can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes, covering with foil to prevent drying out.
Can pasta bake be reheated?
Absolutely! For best results, reheat in the oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, covering with foil to keep it from drying out. You can also microwave individual portions for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of milk to keep it creamy.
What pasta is best for pasta bake?
Short, sturdy pasta works best! Penne, fusilli, rigatoni, or macaroni hold onto the sauce well and maintain their texture after baking. Avoid delicate pasta like spaghetti, as it can become mushy.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 400g chicken breast
- 1 tsp chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
Cheese Sauce:
- 100g butter
- 75g flour
- 900ml-1000ml milk
- 175g cheddar cheese
- 175g gouda cheese
- 125g mozzarella
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 200g broccoli, roughly chopped
- 100g cheddar (for topping)
- 300g rigatoni
Chicken:
- 800g chicken breast
- 2 tsp chicken seasoning
- 2 tsp onion granules
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
Cheese Sauce:
- 200g butter
- 150g flour
- 1800ml-2000ml milk
- 350g cheddar cheese
- 350g gouda cheese
- 250g mozzarella
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 400g broccoli, roughly chopped
- 200g cheddar (for topping)
Chicken:
- 1.2kg chicken breast
- 3 tsp chicken seasoning
- 3 tsp onion granules
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 tsp salt
- 3 tsp dried rosemary
Cheese Sauce:
- 300g butter
- 225g flour
- 2700ml-3000ml milk
- 525g cheddar cheese
- 525g gouda cheese
- 375g mozzarella
- 3 tbsp onion powder
- 3 tbsp paprika
- 3 tbsp parsley
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 600g broccoli, roughly chopped
- 300g cheddar (for topping)
Ingredients
Chicken:
- 14oz chicken breast
- 1 tsp chicken seasoning
- 1 tsp onion granules
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
Cheese Sauce:
- 3.5oz butter
- 2.6oz flour
- 30-34fl oz milk
- 6oz cheddar cheese
- 6oz gouda cheese
- 4.4oz mozzarella
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tbsp parsley
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 7oz broccoli, roughly chopped
- 3.5oz cheddar (for topping)
Chicken:
- 28oz (1lb 12oz) chicken breast
- 2 tsp chicken seasoning
- 2 tsp onion granules
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp salt
- 2 tsp dried rosemary
Cheese Sauce:
- 7oz butter
- 5.3oz flour
- 60-68fl oz milk
- 12oz cheddar cheese
- 12oz gouda cheese
- 8.8oz mozzarella
- 2 tbsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp paprika
- 2 tbsp parsley
- 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 14oz broccoli, roughly chopped
- 7oz cheddar (for topping)
Chicken:
- 42oz (2lb 10oz) chicken breast
- 3 tsp chicken seasoning
- 3 tsp onion granules
- 3 tsp smoked paprika
- 3 tsp salt
- 3 tsp dried rosemary
Cheese Sauce:
- 10.5oz butter
- 8oz flour
- 90-102fl oz milk
- 18oz cheddar cheese
- 18oz gouda cheese
- 13.2oz mozzarella
- 3 tbsp onion powder
- 3 tbsp paprika
- 3 tbsp parsley
- 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Additional Ingredients:
- 21oz broccoli, roughly chopped
- 10.5oz cheddar (for topping)
Instructions
- Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with chicken seasoning, onion granules, smoked paprika, salt, and dried rosemary. Heat a pan over medium heat with a little oil, then add the chicken and cook for 8-10 minutes, until golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions (about 8-10 minutes). In the last 2 minutes, add the broccoli to the pot. Drain everything and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously until golden. Gradually pour in the milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Once the sauce starts to thicken (about 3-5 minutes), add the onion powder, paprika, and parsley. Stir in the cheddar, gouda, and mozzarella, mixing until smooth.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (fan) / 200°C (conventional). In a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, cooked chicken, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Mix well, then transfer to an ovenproof dish. Sprinkle the remaining 100g cheddar over the top and bake for 25 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
- Let it cool for 5 minutes, then dig in. Perfect for a cosy, cheesy meal!
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