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Cozy Chicken Nugget Broccoli Pasta Bake

chicken nugget broccoli pasta bake - featured image
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A warm, cheesy, and nostalgic pasta bake featuring crispy chicken nuggets, tender broccoli, and a creamy cheese sauce. Perfect for quick, make-ahead comfort meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 20 oz (about 570 g) frozen chicken nuggets
  • 12 oz (340 g) uncooked pasta shells or elbow macaroni
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli florets (about 150 g), steamed or blanched
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ cups whole milk (600 ml, warmed; use dairy-free milk if preferred)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (170 g, plus extra for topping)
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese (50 g)
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup breadcrumbs (50 g) for crunchy topping

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz (340 g) pasta shells and cook according to package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. While pasta is cooking, steam 3 cups (150 g) broccoli florets until tender-crisp, about 4-5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Bake 20 oz (570 g) frozen chicken nuggets according to package instructions until golden and crispy. Set aside. Optionally, cut larger nuggets into bite-sized pieces.
  4. In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in 3 tbsp all-purpose flour and cook for 1-2 minutes until slightly golden, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  5. Gradually whisk in 2 ½ cups warm whole milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens, about 5-7 minutes.
  6. Remove sauce from heat and stir in 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese and ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with 1 tsp garlic powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
  7. In your baking dish, gently fold together the cooked pasta, steamed broccoli, crispy chicken nuggets, and cheese sauce until evenly coated.
  8. Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar and ½ cup breadcrumbs over the top for a crunchy golden crust.
  9. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
  10. Let the bake rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use warm milk to avoid lumps in the cheese sauce. Bake chicken nuggets separately to keep them crispy. Watch breadcrumbs closely during baking to prevent burning. Slightly undercook pasta to hold texture during baking. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be frozen before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken nugget pasta bake, broccoli pasta bake, comfort food, easy pasta bake, make-ahead meal, cheesy pasta, quick dinner

Find it online: https://grubella.com/cozy-chicken-nugget-broccoli-pasta-bake-easy-make-ahead-comfort-meal/