Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or chives for colour and freshness.
For a make-ahead dinner, this dish is fantastic: assemble ahead, refrigerate, then bake just before serving.
Variations & Customisations
Cheese Variations
Mix cheddar with part mozzarella for extra stretch-iness.
Use Gruyère, Gouda or Monterey Jack in place of or in addition to cheddar for different flavour profiles. cooking.teatimewithnaomi.com
For extra flavour: stir in a tablespoon of Dijon mustard or a pinch of nutmeg (especially for roux-based sauce).
Pasta Shape Variations
If you cannot find shells, you can use penne, rigatoni or fusilli. The shape must hold sauce well. cooking.teatimewithnaomi.com
For stuffed shell version: jumbo shells work best (12–24 shells depending on size) and you stuff each shell individually with chicken/broccoli/cheese mixture. Recipe By Me
Vegetable Variations
Swap or add vegetables: spinach, diced bell pepper, peas, mushrooms.
If you want a lower-carb option, substitute broccoli with cauliflower florets.
If you like more bite, don’t overcook broccoli—steam lightly.
Protein Variations
Use shredded rotisserie chicken for convenience.
Substitute chicken with turkey or ham. One source says: “Swap out chicken for shredded turkey or cooked ham if you want a slight flavour twist.” Recipe By Me
For vegetarian version: omit chicken, and increase broccoli and cheese, add sautéed mushrooms or spinach.
Sauce Shortcuts
Use pre-made Alfredo sauce instead of making your own cheese sauce. Example: “Use a good quality jarred sauce …” Recipe By Me
Use condensed soup (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom) + milk for quick prep. glassika.com
Make-Ahead & Freezing
Assemble the dish up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Then bake when ready. glassika.com
Freeze: After baking (or before baking), freeze in an oven-safe dish (without topping cheese if before baking). Thaw overnight in fridge and bake as directed. Many sources advise that this dish reheats well. Recipe By Me
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