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Healthy Dump and Bake Casseroles: Creamy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Ready in 50 Minutes

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

Enjoy all the flavors of classic chicken parmesan in a single pan—no breading, frying, or extra dishes required. This dump-and-bake chicken parmesan casserole is the ultimate weeknight meal: hearty, cheesy, and ready in under an hour.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 lb penne pasta (uncooked)
  • 24 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups water
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil, chopped (for garnish)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Combine Ingredients: In the dish, mix uncooked pasta, marinara sauce, water, diced chicken, and garlic salt. Stir well to coat everything evenly.
  3. Cover and Bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes to allow the pasta to cook and the chicken to become tender.
  4. Uncover & Stir: Remove foil carefully, stir the casserole, and check the pasta for tenderness.
  5. Add Cheese & Toppings: Sprinkle mozzarella, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan evenly on top. For extra crispiness, mix breadcrumbs with a tablespoon of melted butter first.
  6. Final Bake: Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted, top is golden, and chicken is fully cooked.
  7. Rest & Garnish: Let the casserole rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.

Notes

Dice chicken small for even cooking. Covering the dish during the first bake ensures pasta absorbs sauce evenly. Let the casserole rest before serving for best texture and presentation.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 portion (about 1 cup)
  • Calories: 380
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 1020mg
  • Fat: 9g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 43g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg

Keywords: chicken parmesan casserole, dump and bake dinner, easy family meal, weeknight recipe, one-pan casserole

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Find it online: https://liyarecipes.com/healthy-dump-and-bake-casseroles-creamy-chicken-parmesan-pasta-ready-in-50-minutes/