Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole combines uncooked penne pasta, diced raw chicken, marinara sauce, and seasonings baked together in one dish. Mozzarella, Parmesan, and panko breadcrumbs top the casserole before finishing in the oven to a golden, bubbly crust. The straightforward baking process allows the chicken to cook through while the pasta absorbs flavorful sauce, creating a hearty, layered texture. This casserole is a convenient main course offering rich tomato and cheese flavors with a crisp breadcrumb topping.
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) penne pasta uncooked, package
- 3 cups marinara sauce (about 1 24-ounce jar)
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ground black pepper to taste
- 1 ½ lbs. chicken breast diced into bite-sized pieces, raw
- 1-2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded, or Italian cheese blend
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese grated
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- basil fresh chopped herbs for garnish
- parsley fresh chopped herbs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F. Spray a 13-inch by 9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. In the prepared baking dish (or in a separate large bowl), stir together uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, salt, pepper, and raw chicken. Tips: See my suggestions below if you'd like to add even more flavor to the dish (like red wine, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or crushed red pepper flakes).
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil. Make sure that your dish is covered tightly so that none of the moisture escapes (the pasta needs to absorb the liquid as it cooks). Bake the covered dish for 30 minutes. Uncover and give the pasta a good stir. At this point the pasta will still be firm and there will still be quite a bit of liquid in the dish. That's fine! Spread mozzarella over the top and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 10-15 more minutes (or until cheese is melted, top is golden brown, pasta is tender, and chicken is cooked through).
- Garnish with fresh herbs, if desired. Serve!
Notes
- You can enhance flavor by adding Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or sundried tomatoes.
- Watch for pasta doneness by tasting; it should be al dente with absorbed liquid to avoid mushiness.
- Consider substituting some water with red wine to deepen the flavor.
- Baking time varies based on baking dish type and oven; glass or ceramic may require longer cooking than metal pans.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 421
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/8 of the casserole | |
| Calories | 421kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 53g | 18% |
| Protein | 33g | 66% |
| Fat | 7g | 11% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 68mg | 23% |
| Sodium | 1116mg | 47% |
| Potassium | 779mg | 17% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
| Vitamin A | 545IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 7.4mg | 8% |
| Calcium | 224mg | 22% |
| Iron | 2.4mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.