Chicken Parmesan and Pasta Casserole
This Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole is a comforting, family-friendly dinner made with tender chicken, pasta, marinara sauce, melted mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and a buttery crispy Panko topping. Using rotisserie chicken keeps this cheesy baked pasta quick, convenient, and perfect for busy weeknight meals.
Servings: 8
Calories: 475kcal
Ingredients
- For the Casserole
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne, rigatoni, rotini, or ziti
- 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken shredded or chopped
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- For the Crispy Topping
- ¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente according to the package directions. Drain well.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, and ¼ cup Parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and black pepper to taste, then stir until everything is evenly combined.
- Transfer the pasta mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- In a small bowl, combine the Panko breadcrumbs, melted butter, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning.
- Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the topping is golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Cook the pasta only until al dente, as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe faster, but any cooked shredded or chopped chicken works.
- Use your favorite marinara sauce for the best flavor.
- For an extra cheesy casserole, add an additional ½ cup of mozzarella.
- If the topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the casserole with foil.
- For a crispier topping, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching carefully.
Nutrition
- Calories: 475 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Protein: 29 g
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Potassium: 480 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 7 g
- Calcium: 280 mg
- Iron: 2 mg