No-Boil Creamy Broccoli Pasta Bake

This Broccoli Pasta Bake is one of the easiest dinner recipes to make. Add the ingredients to a baking dish and cook until ready, no boiling of the noodles needed and it’s gluten free-friendly.

This creamy broccoli pasta bake is a crowd pleaser. And a dish that my entire family devours. My kids and husband all love it and it takes such little effort to put together. I actually made this for the first time completely unplanned. Just wanted to make a meal using ingredients I had on hand and what is in this dish is typically in my kitchen already.

This is a great weeknight dinner idea and you also may have some leftovers the next day for lunch. I love adding some extra rotisserie chicken or sausage to it too for added protein.

And if you aren’t a fan of broccoli usually (talking to myself) this is one of the most delicious ways to eat it. Coated in a cheesy, creamy baked pasta. And it gets my kids to eat it no problem too. But even if you don’t have broccoli, add in some peas, carrots, or some leafy greens instead. It is easy to customize this using what you have on hand.

Tip: custom this creamy pasta bake to use ingredients you have on hand! 

What ingredients are in this gluten-free creamy broccoli pasta bake:

• Gluten-free penne – uncooked pasta! I typically use brown rice as it reheats and cooks the best for this recipe
• Frozen broccoli – you can use fresh broccoli florets as well
• Shredded cheddar cheese – save some for topping too!
• Shredded gruyere or mozzarella works – I use whatever cheese I have on hand too. Both of these give a dreamy cheese pull!
• Broth of choice –  chicken or veggie I usually use whatever I have on hand
• Milk of choice – any milk works! Cow, goat, coconut, unsweetened almond or oat, etc.
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste

How to make this no-boil broccoli pasta bake:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and take out an 9×13 baking dish
2. Add all of the ingredients and mix well
3. Cover with foil and bake in oven for 35-40 minutes then remove foil, sprinkle extra cheese on top and bake for another 5-10 minutes. I like to broil for about 30 seconds to 1 minute too to get the top crispy!
4. Remove from oven and serve while warm!

Tips for success:

• You can use any short shaped pasta shape for this recipe. Like penne, elbows, rigatoni, etc. I wouldn’t use a longer noodle
• For gluten-free noodles, I find that a rice-based pasta works best. I made this with chickpea pasta once and it didn’t turn out good. The consistency was off with chickpea pasta for reheating but served from oven it was great
• I cover the pasta bake for majority of the cooking then you can remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes. Broil it for a minute to get the top crispy!
• You can also toss in some added protein like sausage or cooked chicken or something to the mix with the broccoli to increase the protein
• I find this reheats best with a splash of milk and water in the microwave or over the stovetop! 

A few other easy family dinner ideas:

EASY Sheet Pan Quesadillas

No-Boil Vegetarian Pasta Bake

Nanna’s Homemade Chicken Soup Recipe!

10-minute Creamy Zucchini Pasta (gluten-free)