This chicken Florentine casserole is a paradox: it’s cozy, creamy and comforting, but also somehow bright and fresh. It’s inspired by a classic recipe that’s so popular, you’ve probably eaten it without knowing its name.

Florentine sauce might refer to the Italian city of Florence in its name, but it’s actually a French creation. At its simplest, Florentine is a creamy white sauce with spinach, often served with a protein like chicken, fish (like tilapia Florentine) or eggs (for classic eggs Florentine). Variations on classic chicken Florentine abound. This one is a simplified pasta casserole version, which calls for low-key pantry staples (elbow pasta, condensed soup). It’s like mac and cheese meets Florentine with its golden, toasty bread crumb crust. Make this on any busy weeknight—even the kids will eat it up.

Chicken Florentine Casserole Ingredients

• Elbow macaroni: Noodles are a natural pairing with the thick, creamy Florentine-inspired sauce. We like elbow macaroni, which are naturally bite-sized.
• Shredded cooked chicken: This recipe is a great way to use leftover chicken, whether grilled or rotisserie. You can quickly shred chicken with forks or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer.
• Condensed cream of mushroom soup: Plenty of our favorite casserole recipes start with condensed soup. It delivers tons of flavor, and all you need to do is open a can.
• Swiss cheese: Shredded Swiss cheese dissolves into the sauce, giving it a rich texture.
• Frozen creamed spinach: Frozen vegetables are convenient and still full of flavor. Frozen creamed spinach adds extra richness, but you can use plain frozen spinach instead; just make sure to thaw and drain it first.
• Mayonnaise: The secret ingredient in the sauce is mayonnaise, which adds a distinct tangy flavor to balance the rich cheese and soup.
• Fresh basil: Don’t use dried basil if you can help it. Fresh basil packs a bold flavor punch that the dried stuff just can’t match. To quickly mince basil, roll the leaves, slice them into strips, then finely chop them.
• Spices: Garlic powder, dried thyme and pepper build up the flavor.
• Seasoned bread crumbs: Looking for an easy way to add spice? Sprinkle seasoned bread crumbs over the top of the casserole to form a bronzed, crispy crust.
• Butter: Drizzle melted butter over the casserole to help the top brown.

Taste of Home