Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole Cozy Ultimate Comfort
Enjoy an easy dinner with this Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole that’s perfect for a family dinner or weeknight meal. This dump and bake recipe delivers comforting flavors and minimal effort, ideal for chicken casserole recipes.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Standard
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
- Warm your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly coat a 13 inch by 9 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray.
- Combine the uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, salt, pepper, and diced chicken in the dish or a large bowl, mixing them evenly.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture, then bake it for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and stir the pasta well; it should still be firm with liquid remaining.
- Spread the shredded mozzarella over the top and sprinkle with Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan.
- Bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts, the topping turns golden, the pasta softens, and the chicken cooks through.
- Garnish with chopped fresh herbs if you like and serve while warm.
Notes
- Total cooking time depends on your baking dish and oven
- glass or ceramic pans may take longer than metal
- Check the pasta for doneness to avoid mushiness
- For extra flavor, try adding red wine, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or sundried tomatoes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of casserole
- Calories: 421 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1116mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 68mg