This Chicken Parmesan Casserole is your one-pan answer for a quick delicious dinner. It is loaded with tender chicken, saucy noodles, melty cheese, and a golden breadcrumb topping.It’s everything you love about the classic, baked into an easy weeknight win. Make it tonight and watch it disappear.
Casseroles are staples in my meal planning. They are functional and so delicious. Two of my family favorites are my Baked Chicken Cobbler Casserole and my Ravioli Baked Lasagna.
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Why this Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a quick and easy one pan meal that also happens to be super delicious. This recipe is perfect to add to an easy dinner recipe stash.
- One-Pan Wonder: Everything cooks together in a single casserole dish.
- Family Favorite: Mild spices, melty cheese, and familiar marinara make it a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Budget-Conscious & Crowd-Ready: Uses affordable pantry staples and stretches to feed a crowd. Great for potlucks, meal trains, or busy weeknights when you need something hearty and reliable.
- Customizable Comfort: Swap chicken for sausage, ground beef, or even roasted veggies. Add spinach, mushrooms, or red pepper flakes to tailor it to your taste.
Can I Use a Different Type of Pasta for Chicken Parm Casserole?
Sure! However, I would recommend sticking to a short pasta such as penne pasta, rigatoni or rotini.
Pro Tip to Make Chicken
Dice the chicken into uniform ½-inch cubes so everything cooks at the same rate. Uneven pieces can lead to dry bites or undercooked spots.
Ingredient Notes for Baked Chicken Parmesan
You only need a few simple ingredients, and most are kitchen staples!
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Chicken: Use skinless, boneless chicken breast or shredded chicken thighs to make this casserole.
- Breading: The recipe calls for 1 cup of Italian breadcrumbs, but you can use your favorite type of Panko breadcrumbs on top of the casserole.
- Cheese: You will need both mozzarella and parmesan cheese to make this classic chicken parmesan casserole.
Variations for Baked Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This recipe is super easy to customize. I like to take it to the next level by using different ingredients or trying different flavors.
- Protein Swaps: Use cooked sausage, ground beef, turkey, or chickpeas for a twist. I’d stay away from fried chicken tenders because they can get soggy.
- Sauce Ideas: Try tomato basil, arrabbiata, or vodka sauce for extra flavor. Use Alfredo or creamy tomato for a richer version.
- Cheese Flexibility: Mozzarella alternatives include fontina, provolone, Monterey Jack.
- Veggie Add-Ins: Stir in spinach, mushrooms, diced tomatoes, zucchini, or bell peppers for color and texture.
How to Make Delicious and Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This recipe comes together in 2 easy to follow steps. This twist on traditional chicken parm is so good, it’s in my weekly meal rotation.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Preheat Oven and Bake: Preheat the oven. Combine uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, chicken, Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a 9×13 baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Topping and Bake: Remove from the oven, uncover and stir. Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese , mozzarella cheese and bread crumbs to the top. Drizzle on the melted butter and bake until golden brown.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Chicken Casserole
Preparing ingredients ahead of time can help to save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making the recipe.
- Dice the Chicken: Cut into ½-inch cubes and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Measure Dry Ingredients: Portion out Italian seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and salt into a small prep bowl or zip-top bag.
- Grate the Cheese: Shred mozzarella and parmesan ahead of time and store in separate containers.
- Assemble the Casserole: Layer uncooked pasta, sauce, water, chicken, and seasonings in the baking dish. Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add 10–15 minutes to bake time if starting cold.
Alternate Cooking Methods to Make this Recipe
If your oven happens to be full, make this recipe using your crock pot or make it on the stove.
- Stovetop Skillet Version: Sauté the chicken in a large skillet until browned. Add marinara, water, and dry pasta.
- Slow Cooker Method: Add all ingredients except cheese, breadcrumbs, and parsley to the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4–5 hours or high for 2–3 hours. Stir in cheese near the end and top with breadcrumbs before serving.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. It also freezes well, so divide into single portions for easy grab-and-go lunches.
- Reheating: Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until heated through.
- Using Leftovers: Stuff into peppers for a unique stuffed pepper option. Use as a starter for a delicious soup.
Common Questions About This Recipe
Absolutely! This is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken that’s been cooked. If you use rotisserie chicken, it will shorten the cook time.
To make it creamier, add come cottage cheese, sour cream or cream cheese.
If you want to use cooked pasta, don’t add in the extra water. Cook pasta according to package directions, but stop cooking a few minutes before al dente before adding to the casserole. This will also shorten cook time.
Chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Use a meat thermometer in the biggest piece to ensure it’s cooked.
Tips for Baked Parmesan Chicken Casserole
- Chicken: Dice chicken evenly for consistent cooking.
- Mix: Stir together halfway through baking to ensure pasta cooks evenly and absorbs flavor.
- Cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for smoother melt and richer taste in this easy and delicious meal.
- Crunchy: Toast breadcrumbs with melted butter for a golden, crunchy topping.
- Rest: Let it rest 5–10 minutes after baking to thicken the sauce and make serving easier. This is a favorite chicken parm in my house.
- Serve this Recipe: Serve this easy to assemble casserole with Air Fryer Garlic Bread, Fresh Green Salad or Butterfinger Dessert Trifle.
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Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 1 pound Bowtie pasta, uncooked
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce
- 3 cups Water
- 1 ½ pound Chicken, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- 2 teaspoon Butter, melted
- Fresh parsley, to top
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425℉.
- Add uncooked pasta, pasta sauce, water, chicken and seasonings to a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Stir, then cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, and stir.
- Top with cheeses, then breadcrumbs. Drizzle melted butter over the top.
- Return to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes uncovered, until golden.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley to serve.
Christina’s Notes
- Chicken: Chop up the chicken for consistent cooking.
- Stir Halfway: Stirring halfway to ensure pasta cooks evenly and absorbs flavor.
- Cheese: Freshly grate the cheese for smoother melt and richer taste.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.