Description
Dump and bake chicken parmesan becomes your weeknight dinner superhero, delivering classic Italian-American comfort without the fuss. Cheesy chicken nestled under a crispy breadcrumb blanket comes together faster than ordering takeout, making dinner a breeze.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1½ cups penne pasta
- 2 cups chicken breast
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1¼ cups water or chicken broth
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup turkey ham or turkey pepperoni
Seasonings and Toppings:
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or melted butter
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Crank your oven to a sizzling 425°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish without greasing it.
- Dump 1½ cups uncooked penne pasta directly into the dish, spreading it evenly across the bottom.
- Layer 2 cups of cooked chicken and ½ cup turkey ham or pepperoni (if using) over the pasta.
- Whisk 2 cups marinara sauce with 1¼ cups water, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon onion powder, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
- Pour the sauce mixture carefully over the pasta and chicken, ensuring everything gets coated.
- Sprinkle 1 cup mozzarella and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese across the top of the casserole.
- Mix ½ cup breadcrumbs with 1 tablespoon olive oil until your crumbs are perfectly moistened.
- Scatter the seasoned breadcrumbs over the cheese layer for a delicious crispy topping.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and slide into the oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove foil and continue baking 10-15 minutes until pasta turns tender and topping becomes golden brown.
- Let your casserole rest for 5 minutes to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Swap out penne for your favorite pasta shape to keep the dish interesting and use what’s in your pantry.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta and breadcrumbs, and check that your marinara sauce doesn’t contain wheat.
- Add extra protein like shredded rotisserie chicken or ground turkey for a heartier meal that stretches your budget.
- Make this casserole ahead of time by assembling everything except the breadcrumb topping, then refrigerate and add breadcrumbs right before baking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg