Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a simple and comforting Italian-American dish that combines tender chicken, pasta, and rich marinara sauce topped with a cheesy, crispy breadcrumb crust. It’s perfect for a family-friendly weeknight dinner, requiring minimal prep and one-pan baking for easy cleanup.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 (16 oz) package uncooked penne pasta
- 3 cups marinara sauce (about 1 jar, 24 oz)
- 3 cups water
- 1 tsp salt
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Chicken and Cheese
- 1 ½ lbs raw chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1–2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian cheese blend)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Topping
- 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
- Optional: Fresh chopped herbs like basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In the baking dish, add the uncooked penne pasta, marinara sauce, water, salt, and black pepper. Stir gently to combine and spread evenly.
- Add Chicken: Scatter the bite-sized raw chicken pieces evenly over the pasta mixture, pressing them slightly to submerge them in the sauce.
- Cheese Layer: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese (or Italian cheese blend) over the chicken and pasta mixture, followed by a generous layer of grated Parmesan cheese.
- Add Topping: Evenly sprinkle the Panko breadcrumbs over the cheese layer to create a crunchy topping.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown and the chicken is cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped basil or parsley if desired, then serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute penne with any other pasta shape you prefer, such as rigatoni or ziti.
- Ensure the chicken pieces are cut small so they cook evenly within the baking time.
- For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or garlic powder to the sauce mixture before baking.
- Using a mix of mozzarella and Italian blend cheese adds more depth of flavor but mozzarella alone works well.
- Let the casserole stand for a few minutes after baking to thicken the sauce slightly for easier serving.
- If you want a crispier topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely to prevent burning.
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan casserole, baked chicken pasta, easy chicken dinner, cheesy pasta bake, Italian comfort food
