A comfort food classic, macaroni and cheese is even better with veggies, chicken and a crispy topping.
Turn your dinner into a comfort food feast with this easy Macaroni & Cheesy Chicken Baked Casserole. It’s so rich, hearty and creamy…and topped with crispy panko bread crumbs. An absolutely terrific recipe for kids and adults alike!
Casseroles are a great way to dish up food for a crowd, but they can sometimes be high in fat and calories and low in actual nutrition. The addition of colorful frozen veggies turns this casserole into a one-dish meal that offers needed vitamins and minerals, while still satisfying that comfort food tooth. There is a comfort food tooth, right?
Here’s how to pull together this delicious casserole. First, whip up a quick, rich cheddar cheese sauce.
Place cooked pasta in the bottom of a glass casserole dish.
Top with cooked, diced chicken.
Spread some Green Giant® Valley Fresh Steamers® over the chicken. Then pour your cheese sauce on top.
Top with buttery panko bread crumbs. Bake until golden brown and bubbly.
Serve the baked casserole to the hungry bellies surrounding your table. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- Macaroni and Cheesy Chicken
- 2cups uncooked elbow macaroni (about 9 oz)
- 4tablespoons butter
- 1/3cup Gold Medal™ all-purpose flour
- 1teaspoon onion salt
- 1teaspoon garlic salt
- 1teaspoon pepper
- 3cups milk
- 4cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 oz)
- 2cups chopped cooked chicken
- 1bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli florets
- Topping
- 1 1/2cups Progresso™ panko crispy bread crumbs
- 4tablespoons butter, melted
Directions
- 1Heat oven to 375°F. Spray 13×9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. Cook and drain macaroni as directed on package, using minimum cook time.
- 2In 5-quart Dutch oven, melt 4 tablespoons butter over medium heat. Beat in flour, onion salt, garlic salt and pepper with whisk until thickened. Cook 1 minute longer. Beat in milk. Heat to boiling over high heat, stirring frequently; boil and stir 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of the cheese until melted. Stir in macaroni, chicken and frozen broccoli. Pour into baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese on top.
- 3In small bowl, mix bread crumbs and melted butter; stir until combined. Sprinkle over macaroni mixture.
- 4Bake 33 to 36 minutes or until mixture is bubbly (at least 165°F in center) and bread crumbs are browned.
