Chicken Parmesan & Pasta Casserole Recipe
This Chicken Parmesan & Pasta Casserole combines tender rotisserie chicken, pasta, and marinara sauce, layered with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses, then baked to perfection with a crispy buttery panko topping. It’s a comforting and easy weeknight meal perfect for the whole family.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 small rotisserie chicken, pulled into small pieces
- 1/2 lb pasta (about 3 cups dry)
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or spaghetti sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
Topping
- 3/4 cup panko bread crumbs
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350° F (175° C) and lightly grease a medium-size baking dish, such as a 7×9 inch dish, to prevent sticking.
- Cook Pasta: In a large pot, cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well.
- Mix Ingredients: Return the drained pasta to the pot and stir in the marinara sauce, shredded rotisserie chicken, half of the mozzarella cheese, half of the parmesan cheese, and 1-2 teaspoons Italian seasoning. Allow the mixture to simmer gently over medium-low heat for a few minutes to combine flavors.
- Assemble Casserole: Spread the pasta and chicken mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese evenly over the top.
- Prepare Topping: In a small bowl, combine the panko bread crumbs, melted butter, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Sprinkle this breadcrumb mixture evenly over the cheese layer on the casserole.
- Bake: Bake uncovered on the center rack of the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the panko topping is golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. This casserole pairs well with a fresh salad, steamed vegetables, or breadsticks.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for convenience, or substitute with cooked shredded chicken breast.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce mixture.
- Pasta types like penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well for this casserole.
- Make sure to not overcook pasta initially; it will cook further during baking.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, pasta casserole, baked pasta, Italian comfort food, rotisserie chicken recipe, cheesy casserole
