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Chicken Parmesan Casserole
All the flavors of a traditional chicken parmesan are packed into a delicious casserole. This easy-to-make hearty dinner recipe will soon be a family favorite
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All the flavors and goodness of traditional chicken parmesan, packed into a delicious casserole. Tender chicken, marinara sauce, penne pasta, and cheese combine to make this easy family favorite.
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Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This hearty dinner recipe takes just 15 minutes of prep time, making it easy enough to make even on busy weeknights. Made with pasta, marinara, chicken, and cheese, this cozy casserole is a family favorite.
With plenty of ooey-gooey cheese, this casserole simplifies classic chicken parmesan by skipping the breading on the chicken and coating the top with cheese and breadcrumbs. Scrumptious enough to serve for Sunday dinner, casseroles are perfect to eat any night of the week.
A simple Italian-inspired dish, chicken parmesan casserole pairs perfectly with cheesy garlic bread and a crisp green salad. This family-friendly recipe is easy to freeze, so you can even make it ahead of time.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole Ingredients
- Pasta - penne pasta, cooked and drained
- Marinara sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Basil - chopped fresh basil, divided
- Tomatoes - diced
- Chicken - chicken breast or rotisserie, diced and cooked chicken
- Cheese - grated, mozzarella cheese
- Butter - salted butter, melted
- Herbed bread crumbs
- Cheese - grated parmesan cheese
The pasta will continue to cook while baking the casserole, so only cook it al dente beforehand so that it doesn’t become too soft. Any type of pasta will work in this casserole, but we recommend sticking to a smaller variety such as rotini, bowtie, shells, rigatoni, or ziti.
Use your favorite brand of marinara sauce for this casserole recipe, or make your own homemade sauce. If you prefer a white or pink sauce you could skip the red sauce and use one of those instead.
If you want to make this a vegetarian dish you can leave out the chicken and substitute vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, or baby tomatoes. Personalize the flavor of your casserole by adjusting the herbs, both fresh or dried, to your particular taste.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Casserole
FIRST STEP: Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta and spread across the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish.
SECOND STEP: Pour one 24 oz. jar of marinara sauce and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning over the pasta.
THIRD STEP: Add ¼ cup chopped basil and diced tomatoes to the baking dish and stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
FOURTH STEP: Top pasta mixture with chicken. Pour the remaining jar of marinara sauce over the chicken and spread gently to coat evenly.
FIFTH STEP: Top chicken and sauce layer with remaining ¼ cup of basil and mozzarella cheese.
SIXTH STEP: In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.
SEVENTH STEP: Sprinkle bread crumb mixture over the top of the cheese in the casserole dish.
EIGHTH STEP: Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for about the first 20 minutes and then uncovered for the final 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly, cheese is melted, and bread crumbs are golden brown.
NINTH STEP: Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Can I use a different kind of pasta?
Yes, any small kind of pasta will work well for this recipe. Shells, ziti, rotini, bowtie, or rigatoni would all be great choices.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can freeze Chicken Parmesan Casserole for up to three months in an airtight container.
Can I make this a vegetarian recipe?
Yes, simply omit the chicken and add in vegetables such as mushrooms, onions, or baby tomatoes to make this a vegetarian casserole.
How to Store Chicken Parmesan Casserole
IN THE FRIDGE: Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
IN THE FREEZER: Freeze chicken parmesan casserole in an airtight container for up to three months.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
All the flavors of a traditional chicken parmesan are packed into a delicious casserole. This easy-to-make hearty dinner recipe will soon be a family favorite
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Ingredients
- 10 oz penne pasta cooked and drained about ⅔ standard box/bag
- 2 jars marinara sauce 24-ounces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ cup chopped fresh basil divided
- 1-2 medium tomatoes diced
- 2 cups diced, cooked chicken (chicken breast or rotisserie)
- 3 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 4 tablespoons salted butter melted
- ¾ cup herbed bread crumbs
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain pasta and spread across the bottom of a 9x13 glass baking dish.
- Pour one 24 oz. jar of marinara sauce and one teaspoon of Italian seasoning over the pasta.
- Add ¼ cup chopped basil and diced tomatoes to the baking dish and stir to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Top pasta mixture with chicken. Pour the remaining jar of marinara sauce over the chicken and spread gently to coat evenly.
- Top chicken and sauce layer with remaining ¼ cup of basil and mozzarella cheese.
- In a small bowl, mix together melted butter, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, covered for about the first 20 minutes and then uncovered for the final 20 minutes or until the casserole is bubbly, cheese is melted, and bread crumbs are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 464kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 103mg | Sodium: 619mg | Potassium: 264mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 950IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 376mg | Iron: 2mg
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