Cajun Chicken & Broccoli Casserole

CAJUN CHICKEN & BROCCOLI CASSEROLE WITH MUSHROOMS AND ANGEL HAIR PASTA

It’s time for that trip down memory lane. In Louisiana, there’s a whole food history around casseroles. This particular one was one of my family’s favorites, along with crawfish casserole.

Along with most other casseroles in the south, there’s a lot of Velveeta cheese being used. People like to hate on it, but it sure is comfort in a bowl, and it certainly is in our famous green bean casserole and obviously in this one.

There’s not a lot to this casserole and sometimes that’s the best kind of recipe. Check out the recipe below for extreme comfort food!

Growing up I always had this casserole with a tall glass of milk.

CAJUN CHICKEN & BROCCOLI CASSEROLE WITH MUSHROOMS AND ANGEL HAIR PASTA RECIPE

Ingredients

• 1 large rotisserie chicken, shredded

• 1 package of angel hair pasta or vermicelli

• 1 large or 2 medium heads of broccoli, chopped into florets

• 1 small yellow onion, diced

• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced

• 1 package of baby bella mushrooms, chopped

• 1 cup chicken stock

• 1 can of cream of mushroom soup

• 1/2 cup 2% milk

• 1 16oz lb block of velveeta cheese, cubed

• cajun seasoning, Tabasco sauce, black pepper, salt, cayenne pepper to taste

• fresh parmesan cheese shavings and parsley to top as an option

• large casserole baking dish or 2 9x13” casserole dishes

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F.

While bringing water for noodles to a boil, sauté the broccoli, mushrooms, minced garlic and onions. Cook until tender with all spices, for about 10 minutes. Add in shredded chicken.

Boil the vermicelli for 4-5 minutes or until package calls for. When done, drain and oil so that the noodles don’t stick.

Add in the velveeta cubes, the cream of mushroom, milk and the chicken stock to the chicken, broccoli and mushroom mixture and cover so that the steam starts to melt the cheese and mix the liquids. Stir occasionally, breaking up the cheese.

Once it is melted, about 5 minutes, pour entire mixture over the cooked angel hair pasta and toss to combine fully. Begin pouring into casserole dish(es) and level mixture. Top with parmesan for a thin layer, and bake for 30 minutes. Add parsley and more parmesan before serving. Serves 10 people.