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Delicious dump and bake chicken parmesan casserole in a baking dish

Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole

A comforting one-pan dish featuring pasta, chicken, marinara, and melted cheese, perfect for family dinners.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta Base
  • 12 ounces penne pasta
Protein Power
  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped Opt for rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful protein boost.
Sauce Star
  • 3 cups marinara sauce Choose a high-quality marinara sauce with no added sugars.
Liquid Gold
  • 2.5 cups water or chicken broth
Cheesy Delight
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Use high-quality mozzarella for best results.
  • 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Flavor Enhancers
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
Crunch Factor
  • 0.5 cup breadcrumbs
Fresh Finish
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large bowl, add the penne, cooked chicken, marinara sauce, water or chicken broth, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
Baking
  1. Transfer the mixture into your prepared baking dish. Cover it tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
  2. After 35 minutes, carefully remove the foil and stir the casserole well to ensure even cooking of the pasta.
  3. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs evenly over the top.
  4. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is lightly golden.
Serving
  1. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Finish it with chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

To enhance the nutritional profile, substitute regular pasta with whole grain penne, add veggies like spinach or zucchini, and use low-sodium broth.