Oh my goodness, you have to try this Chicken Parmesan Casserole! As a busy mom of two, I’m always looking for those magical recipes that are easy to throw together but still feel like a warm hug at dinnertime. This one’s become our family’s go-to comfort food – it’s got all the cheesy, saucy goodness of classic chicken parm, but in simple casserole form. I love how it transforms basic ingredients like pasta, chicken, and marinara into something special with minimal effort. The best part? My kids actually eat it without complaining (most days, anyway!). Trust me, once you try this baked chicken parmesan casserole, it’ll become a regular in your meal rotation too.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Seriously, what’s not to love about this dish? Here’s why it’s become my family’s favorite weeknight hero:
- Quick prep: From fridge to oven in under 15 minutes – perfect for those crazy busy nights!
- Kid-approved: Even my picky eaters gobble up this cheesy creation without complaints.
- Customizable: Swap ingredients based on what’s in your pantry – it’s super forgiving.
- Comfort food magic: That perfect combo of melty cheese, tender chicken, and crispy topping hits all the right spots.
- Leftover superstar: Tastes even better the next day (if there’s any left!).
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Okay, let’s talk ingredients! You’ll need just five simple things to make this cozy casserole happen. First up – 2 cups of rotini pasta (those fun little corkscrews hold the sauce so well). Grab 12 ounces of cooked chicken (leftover rotisserie chicken works perfectly here – no shame in shortcuts!). You’ll want 1 cup of shredded mozzarella (because let’s be real, I usually end up adding extra). Two cups of marinara sauce – your favorite jarred kind or homemade if you’re feeling fancy. Last but not least, ½ cup of seasoned breadcrumbs for that golden, crispy top we all love. That’s it! See? I told you this was easy.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Alright, let’s get cooking! First things first – preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s warming up, bring a big pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Toss in your rotini pasta and let it cook for about 8 minutes – you want it al dente, not mushy, because it’ll keep cooking in the oven later. Drain it well and dump it into your favorite casserole dish.
Now the fun part – assembly! Stir together your cooked pasta, cubed chicken, and mozzarella cheese right in the dish. Don’t be shy with the mixing – you want every bite to have cheesy goodness. Pour that marinara sauce evenly over the top (I like to swirl it a bit with a spoon to make sure everything gets saucy). Sprinkle your seasoned breadcrumbs across the top – this is what gives that perfect crispy golden crust!
Pop it in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the cheese is all melty and bubbly, and those breadcrumbs turn a beautiful golden brown. Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving (if you can resist diving right in!). The hardest part? Waiting while that amazing cheesy aroma fills your kitchen!
Tips for the Best Chicken Parmesan Casserole
After making this casserole more times than I can count, I’ve picked up some tricks that really take it to the next level. First – don’t stress about cooking chicken just for this! Leftover rotisserie chicken works beautifully (and saves so much time). My secret? I always add an extra handful of cheese on top during the last 5 minutes of baking – that golden, bubbly finish is everything! If you’re out of rotini, any short pasta like penne or bowties works great – just adjust the cook time slightly. Oh, and here’s a pro tip: let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking. It helps the layers set so you get perfect slices instead of a saucy mess!
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Irresistible 5-Ingredient Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe
A simple and delicious Chicken Parmesan Casserole that combines pasta, chicken, and cheese for a comforting meal.
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups rotini pasta
- 12 ounces cooked chicken, cubed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- ½ cup seasoned bread crumbs
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Cook rotini in boiling water until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain.
- Stir together cooked rotini, chicken, and mozzarella cheese in a large casserole dish.
- Pour marinara sauce over pasta mixture; sprinkle with bread crumbs.
- Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted, about 35 minutes.
- Serve and enjoy.
Notes
- Use pre-cooked or leftover chicken for convenience.
- Substitute rotini with any short pasta of your choice.
- Add extra cheese on top for a richer flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 35 mins
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Low Lactose
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Chicken Parmesan Casserole Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easily you can switch it up! For a gluten-free version, just swap regular breadcrumbs for gluten-free ones – they crisp up just as nicely. Feeling veggie-loaded? Toss in some sautéed mushrooms or spinach when you mix everything together. And if you’re craving extra protein, try layering in some cooked Italian sausage or turkey pepperoni. The possibilities are endless!
Serving Suggestions for Chicken Parmesan Casserole
You know what makes this casserole even better? The perfect sides! I always serve ours with warm garlic bread – perfect for soaking up that extra marinara sauce. A simple green salad with Italian dressing cuts through the richness beautifully. On extra hungry nights, I’ll add roasted broccoli or zucchini – the veggies disappear when they’re covered in all that cheesy goodness!
Storing and Reheating Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Here’s the best part about this casserole – it actually gets better as leftovers! Store any extras (if you’re lucky enough to have some) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Want to freeze it? Just wrap individual portions tightly – they’ll keep beautifully for about a month. When you’re ready to eat, reheat in the oven at 350°F until bubbly (about 15-20 minutes). The microwave works in a pinch, but the oven keeps that crispy topping perfect. Pro tip: add a tiny splash of water before reheating to keep it from drying out!
Chicken Parmesan Casserole FAQs
Can I use fresh chicken instead of pre-cooked?
Absolutely! Just dice raw chicken into bite-sized pieces and sauté until no longer pink before adding to the casserole. It adds about 10 extra minutes to prep time, but the flavor is fantastic.
Can I assemble this casserole ahead of time?
You bet! Mix everything except the breadcrumbs, cover tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add the breadcrumbs and pop it in the oven – just add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time.
What other pastas work besides rotini?
Any short pasta shape works great! Penne, bowties, or even shells hold the sauce beautifully. Just adjust the boiling time according to package directions – you still want it al dente since it’ll bake more in the oven.
Nutritional Information
Just a quick note – these numbers are estimates since ingredients can vary. One serving of this delicious casserole clocks in at about 380 calories, with 12g fat, 24g protein, and 42g carbs. It’s got 3g fiber too, which is a nice bonus! Remember, portion sizes matter – but let’s be real, seconds are totally allowed with this one.
So what are you waiting for? Give this Chicken Parmesan Casserole a try tonight – I promise your family will thank you! And hey, I’d love to hear how it turns out. Did your kids gobble it up like mine do? Any fun twists you added? Drop a comment below and share your casserole adventures. Happy cooking, friends – may your cheese always be melty and your pasta perfectly al dente! You can also follow along for more easy recipes on our Facebook page.
