Description
Learn how to make a chicken parmesan pasta casserole bake from scratch. Make your own breaded chicken parmesan chicken then bake with pasta, marinara and cheese to perfection.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (cut lengthwise)
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour (for dredging)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated and divided)
- 4 tbsp oil
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 23 oz marinara sauce
- 2 cups low moisture mozzarella cheese (shredded)
- fresh basil (optional)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry and set aside.
- Prepare the breading stations. You will need 3 shallow dishes. In the first dish combine flour, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning. In the second bowl whisk the eggs. In the third dish combine the breadcrumbs and 1/3 cup parmesan cheese.
- Dredge the chicken in the flour first. Then dip into the egg. Then coat in the breadcrumb mixture. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
- Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet. Add oil for pan frying the chicken. Cook until it turns crispy and golden on both sides, about 4-5 minutes.
- Allow the parmesan chicken to cool down, then cut into bite-sized cubes and set aside.
- Cook the penne pasta in salted water according to the pasta box instructions. Drain the water and transfer the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
- Add marinara sauce to the pasta. Mix to combine.
- Stir in 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. Combine well.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Grease a rectangular 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Transfer half of the pasta and sauce mixture to the casserole dish.
- Add half the diced chicken to the top of the pasta.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese over the chicken.
- Top with remaining pasta and sauce mixture and diced chicken.
- Top with 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the center rack of the oven.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the chicken is 160°F.
- Remove from the oven. Optional: Garnish with fresh basil and crushed red pepper flakes.
- Serve while warm.
Notes
- This recipe makes a whole meal.
- Use low moisture mozzarella for best results.
- Feel free to add vegetables to the pasta mixture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 584
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 61 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg
Keywords: Chicken Parmesan, Casserole, Baked