Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Protein Pasta is a practical, budget-conscious recipe made with familiar UK supermarket ingredients. It offers a flexible way to combine satisfying food with everyday meal planning, without promising weight-loss results.
Serves: 4 | Prep: 10 minutes | Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 280g wholewheat penne
- 250g cooked chicken
- 300g broccoli
- 200g cottage cheese
- 100ml milk
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tsp mustard
- black pepper
Method
- Cook pasta according to packet, adding broccoli for final 4 minutes
- reserve pasta water.
- Blend cottage cheese, milk, garlic and mustard and warm gently without boiling vigorously.
- Fold in cooked chicken, pasta and broccoli, loosen with pasta water and heat until thoroughly hot.
Budget-friendly tips
Frozen broccoli and leftover cooked chicken are practical alternatives.
Serving and storage
Adjust accompaniments and portions to suit your household. Cool cooked leftovers promptly, refrigerate within two hours and reheat only once until steaming hot throughout. For uncooked dairy or fish dishes, keep refrigerated and follow packaging storage instructions.
Frequently asked question
Will the sauce be lumpy?
Blend cottage cheese thoroughly and warm gently for a smooth finish.
More family meal ideas
Explore the Budget Family Meals UK guide and organise your week with our free family meal planner.
Nutrition values depend on brands and portion sizes; no unverified calorie figures are provided.
A creamy pasta sauce made differently
Blend the cottage cheese completely smooth before warming. Keep the heat gentle and use reserved pasta water to make a silky coating rather than adding more milk.
Serving suggestions
Serve immediately with extra black pepper. This dish uses pre-cooked chicken and must be heated thoroughly.
Ingredient swaps and make-ahead advice
Supermarket own-brand ingredients are suitable. Where you change a main ingredient, the flavour, cooking time and nutritional estimate may change. Follow food-pack storage guidance and keep chilled ingredients refrigerated.
Estimated nutrition per serving
Approximate values calculated from typical UK supermarket ingredient composition and the quantities listed above, divided into the stated number of servings. These are planning estimates, not laboratory-tested figures; brands, drained weights, vegetable sizes and optional ingredients affect the result. Accompaniments are excluded.
| Energy | 420 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 37 g |
| Carbohydrate | 43 g |
| Fat | 10 g |
| Fibre | 7 g |
| Sugars | 6 g |
| Salt | 0.5 g |
Allergen note: Contains milk, wheat and mustard. Always check the specific ingredient packaging.
More questions about this recipe
Can I use frozen broccoli?
Yes. Add it according to the pack instructions and drain excess water.
Related budget recipe
For a meat-free pasta alternative, browse our Broccoli and Garlic Penne.
Making this part of a balanced week
No single meal guarantees weight loss. Consider your overall dietary pattern, hunger, activity and individual needs. For more low-cost inspiration, browse our budget family meals guide and use the free family meal planner.