Easy Chicken Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Shells Baked Dinner

1.Chicken Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Shells

Chicken broccoli cheese stuffed shells are the epitome of comfort food—a hearty, satisfying meal that delivers warmth and flavor in every bite. These stuffed pasta shells are filled with a creamy mixture of shredded chicken, ricotta cheese, and chopped broccoli, then smothered in marinara sauce and baked with melted mozzarella and Parmesan. It’s a family-friendly dish that feels indulgent yet comes together with simple ingredients.

Perfect for busy weeknights, potluck dinners, or make-ahead freezer meals, this recipe combines convenience with a classic Italian-inspired flavor profile. The blend of lean protein, vegetables, and cheese tucked inside jumbo pasta shells provides a balanced and satisfying dinner that can be prepped in advance and reheated without losing taste or texture.

Whether you’re using fresh broccoli or frozen, or opting for rotisserie chicken over home-cooked, this dish is wonderfully flexible. Like a baked casserole, it’s one of those recipes that becomes a regular in your rotation because it’s just that easy and delicious.

Learn more about the history of baked pasta dishes by checking out this Wikipedia article on casseroles. You might also get inspiration for variations from this Pinterest board on comfort food dinners, which highlights ideas similar to this classic.

This recipe is ideal for when you need a hearty dinner that pleases a crowd, makes use of leftover chicken, and turns basic pantry staples into something you’ll crave again and again.

2. Ingredients Breakdown

Creating the perfect chicken broccoli cheese stuffed shells starts with using high-quality, flavorful ingredients. This dish blends protein, vegetables, cheese, and pasta to form a complete meal that’s both satisfying and easy to make.

2.1. Proteins: Using Cooked Shredded Chicken

The base of the filling is cooked shredded chicken, which provides lean protein and a hearty texture.

• You can use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or quickly cook and shred chicken breasts or thighs at home.

• Shredded chicken adds tenderness and absorbs the flavors of the filling.

• For shredding, use two forks or a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for fast results.

Learn more about how chicken fits into a healthy diet from Wikipedia’s Chicken (food) article.

2.2. Vegetables: Fresh vs. Frozen Broccoli

Broccoli not only adds color and texture but also enhances the nutritional value of this dish.

• Fresh broccoli, when steamed just until tender, brings out the best flavor.

• Frozen broccoli works well too—just make sure it’s fully thawed and chopped into small pieces to blend seamlessly with the cheese mixture.

• Broccoli is rich in vitamins C and K, fiber, and antioxidants. Explore its full profile on Wikipedia’s Broccoli page.

Need ideas for other broccoli-based meals? Check out this Pinterest collection of broccoli recipes.

2.3. Cheeses Used

Cheese is essential for the creamy, indulgent texture of the filling. This recipe uses a mix of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan to deliver flavor and meltability.

• Ricotta cheese adds a smooth, mild base that binds the filling—learn more from Wikipedia’s Ricotta entry.

• Mozzarella cheese offers that gooey, melted stretch that everyone loves.

• Parmesan cheese brings a salty, nutty flavor that complements the other cheeses.

2.4. Pasta Shells

The vehicle for all that delicious filling is the jumbo pasta shell. These shells hold the chicken mixture beautifully and bake into tender, satisfying bites.

• Look for jumbo shells in the pasta aisle—avoid small ones, which don’t hold enough filling.

• After boiling, rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking.

The history and variety of pasta are vast—explore it more on Wikipedia’s Pasta page.

For visual inspiration and unique ways to serve stuffed pasta, browse this Pinterest board of stuffed pasta shells.

2.5. Marinara Sauce

Marinara sauce adds acidity and richness, balancing the creaminess of the filling.

• Use your favorite jarred brand, or make a quick homemade version with crushed tomatoes, garlic, and herbs.

• Want to upgrade a jarred sauce? Add a splash of olive oil, extra garlic, or red pepper flakes.

• Consider substituting with Alfredo or pesto for a flavorful twist (more on this in the variations section).

These ingredient combinations ensure that your stuffed shells deliver full flavor, satisfying textures, and easy preparation—perfect for a weeknight baked dinner or freezer-friendly meal. For more meal-prepping ideas, visit this Pinterest board of freezer-friendly meals.

3. Equipment Needed

Before you begin assembling your chicken broccoli cheese stuffed shells, it’s helpful to have the right kitchen tools on hand. The preparation is straightforward, but the right equipment will save time and ensure a smoother cooking process.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 9×13 inch baking dish – This is the ideal size to hold about 20 stuffed pasta shells in a single layer.

• Large mixing bowl – To combine the chicken, broccoli, cheeses, and seasoning.

• Medium saucepan or pot – For cooking the jumbo pasta shells.

• Slotted spoon or pasta scoop – To safely remove and drain pasta without tearing it.

• Spoon or piping bag – A regular spoon works fine for stuffing shells, but a piping bag (or even a zip-top bag with the corner snipped off) can make filling neater and quicker.

• Aluminum foil – Essential for covering the dish while baking to prevent the cheese from burning and to ensure even cooking.

• Sharp knife and cutting board – For finely chopping steamed broccoli and mincing garlic.

• Garlic press (optional) – Speeds up mincing and gives a more uniform garlic texture in the filling.

While these tools are basic, they streamline the entire prep process. For similar dishes requiring similar tools, you can explore this Pinterest board on chicken casserole recipes to find other meal ideas that use these same kitchen staples.

Having everything prepped and organized in advance (a practice known as mise en place) will help you focus on assembling the stuffed shells efficiently and baking them to cheesy, golden perfection.

4. How to Make Chicken Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Shells (Step-by-Step)

4.1. Step 1: Cook the Pasta Shells

Begin by boiling your jumbo pasta shells until just al dente.

• Use a large pot of salted water to enhance flavor.

• Stir occasionally to prevent sticking, especially since jumbo shells tend to cling together.

• Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and keep them firm for stuffing.

• Place them on a baking sheet in a single layer so they don’t stick.

The history and different types of pasta can be explored further in Wikipedia’s guide to pasta.

4.2. Step 2: Prepare the Filling

In a large bowl, combine:

• 2 cups shredded chicken

• 1 ½ cups chopped steamed broccoli

• 1 ½ cups ricotta cheese

• 1 egg (for binding)

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

• ½ cup grated Parmesan

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper

Mix well until the ingredients are fully incorporated. You should have a thick, creamy mixture that holds together.

• For an added flavor boost, sprinkle in a pinch of Italian seasoning or crushed red pepper flakes.

• To make stuffing easier, you can transfer the mixture into a piping bag.

The use of ricotta cheese in Italian dishes like this is explored in Wikipedia’s ricotta article, which delves into its origins and common culinary uses.

Looking for other recipes with similar cheesy fillings? Check out this Pinterest board on comfort food dinners for related ideas.