5.0 from 111 votes
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This easy one-dish dinner is healthy, easy to prepare, and incredibly family-friendly!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 8 people
Calories: 421 kcal
Course:
Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked penne pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce (about 1 24-ounce jar)
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 ½ lbs. raw chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian cheese blend
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- Optional garnish: fresh chopped herbs such as fresh basil or fresh parsley
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!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Jazz up the casserole with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and/or sundried tomatoes.
- Total cooking time will vary depending on the type of pan that you use, your brand of pasta, and your individual oven. Glass or ceramic baking dishes will take longer than metal pans, for instance. To know when your casserole is done, taste a bite of the pasta. The noodles should be al dente and much of the liquid should be absorbed.
- Be careful not to overcook the pasta or it will become mushy.
- Add more flavor to the dish by replacing some of the water with red wine.
- Jazz up the casserole with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, and/or sundried tomatoes.
Nutrition Information
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
(22%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Vitamin A
545IU
(11%)
Vitamin C
7.4mg
(8%)
Calcium
224mg
(22%)
Iron
2.4mg
(13%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8people
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.