Description
This Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole combines tender breaded chicken pieces with flavorful marinara sauce, rotini pasta, and a gooey blend of Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. It’s an easy-to-make baked dish perfect for family dinners, offering a comforting Italian-inspired meal loaded with cheesy goodness and savory herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Coating
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Pasta and Sauce
- 1 lb rotini pasta, cooked, drained, and cooled
- 1 (24-28 oz) jar marinara sauce
Cheeses
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese (or provolone cheese)
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating: In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs, grated Parmesan, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, and dried basil to create a flavorful breadcrumb mixture. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg with water to make an egg wash for coating the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Dip each piece of chicken into the egg wash, then dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring thorough coating. Cook the coated chicken cubes in batches, turning occasionally until all sides are golden brown and the chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per batch. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Casserole: Grease a 13×9-inch baking dish. Start by layering half of the cooked rotini pasta on the bottom, then spread half of the marinara sauce over it. Sprinkle half of the shredded Parmesan cheese on top. Add the cooked chicken pieces evenly over this layer. Next, spread the remaining marinara sauce over the chicken, followed by the remaining rotini pasta if any, and top everything with the mozzarella cheese.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake the casserole uncovered for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbling, and lightly browned on top. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- Use cooked and cooled pasta to prevent the casserole from becoming mushy.
- For extra flavor, you can add fresh basil or parsley as garnish before serving.
- Substitute mozzarella with provolone cheese for a different but delightful taste.
- Ensure chicken is cooked thoroughly to avoid any food safety issues.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
