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Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole

A comforting casserole that combines tender chicken, pasta, marinara sauce, and melted cheese with a crispy breadcrumb topping.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 485
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
  • 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (optional)

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Cook the penne pasta according to package directions until just al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Season the chicken pieces generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. In your prepared baking dish, combine the cooked pasta, seasoned chicken, and marinara sauce. Stir everything together until the pasta and chicken are well-coated with sauce.
  4. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese over the pasta mixture, followed by half of the Parmesan cheese. Top with the remaining mozzarella and a final generous layer of Parmesan cheese.
  5. Evenly distribute the Italian breadcrumbs over the cheese layer.
  6. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the breadcrumbs are golden brown. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cook pasta until just al dente as it will continue cooking in the oven. Let casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking for clean slices. Can be assembled 24 hours ahead and refrigerated. Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Budget-friendly substitutions include using rotisserie chicken, Italian cheese blend instead of mozzarella, or dried basil instead of fresh.