Go Back
Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Chicken Parmesan Casserole

This Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a warm, cheesy, and satisfying dish that wraps all the classic flavors of chicken parmesan into a single, easy-to-manage baking dish. It uses pre-cooked shredded chicken to save time, tossed with pasta, marinara sauce, and a generous amount of Parmesan and mozzarella cheese. The result is a bubbling, golden-brown casserole perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Ingredients
  • 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie chicken works perfectly)
  • 2 cups marinara sauce (use your favorite jarred or homemade)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups cooked pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti are great choices)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil or parsley, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Large mixing bowl
  • Aluminum foil

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large skillet, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shredded chicken, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Gently stir everything together to coat the chicken and let it warm through for about 5 minutes.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, rich marinara sauce, half of the Parmesan cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Give it a good stir to make sure the pasta is evenly coated.
  4. Now, add the seasoned chicken from the skillet into the pasta mixture. Mix it all together until the chicken is well-distributed throughout the dish. This ensures you get a bit of everything in every bite, making for one of the best Full Dinner Ideas.
  5. Pour this wonderful mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it out into an even layer.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
  7. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. This helps the casserole cook through without the cheese burning. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
  8. After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and starting to turn golden brown on top.
  9. Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. This is important as it allows the casserole to set, making it easier to serve. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if you like.
  10. Serve warm and enjoy the delicious comfort!

Notes

Using a store-bought rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver. To avoid a watery casserole, cook pasta until just al dente and use a thicker marinara sauce. For extra texture, add a topping of panko breadcrumbs mixed with melted butter before the final bake. You can also add vegetables like sautéed mushrooms or chopped spinach. The casserole can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, or frozen for up to 3 months.