Hi there, food lover! ๐ Ready to bring some Italian-inspired comfort to your table?
Few dishes capture the heart like Chicken Parmesan Casserole. ๐๐ ๐ง Imagine tender chunks of juicy chicken, layers of marinara sauce, golden pasta, and a blanket of melted mozzarella bubbling on top. This dish is the perfect harmony of flavors: savory, cheesy, and a little tangy from the tomato sauce. Itโs a meal that feels like a warm hug on a cool evening, yet itโs easy enough to prepare for a weeknight dinner.
The casserole tradition has always been about family-style sharingโbig portions meant to feed the people you love, all from one dish. This Chicken Parmesan Casserole does just that. Instead of fussing with frying cutlets and layering them one by one, we take all the classic elements of chicken parm and turn them into a bubbling, baked casserole thatโs hearty and satisfying.
Whether youโre serving it with garlic bread, a crisp green salad, or just on its own, this dish is sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, leftovers (if youโre lucky enough to have any!) reheat beautifully. Letโs roll up our sleeves and make some comfort food magic together! ๐ฉโ๐ณโจ
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed
- 1 pound cooked pasta (penne or rigatoni works best)
- 3 cups marinara sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs
- 3 tbsp olive oil (for tossing breadcrumbs)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional, for a kick ๐ถ๏ธ)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley, chopped, for garnish ๐ฟ
Step-by-Step Directions
- Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, marinara sauce, garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread it out evenly.
- Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Add the remaining pasta mixture on top, then finish with another layer of mozzarella and Parmesan.
- In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with olive oil until lightly moistened. Sprinkle this mixture evenly across the top of the casserole.
- Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10โ15 minutes, until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let the casserole rest for 5โ10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh basil or parsley. ๐ฟ
- Serve warm and enjoy with garlic bread or a side salad for the full experience!
Nutritional Information
โฐ Prep Time: 20 minutes | ๐ฅ Baking Time: 35 minutes | โณ Total Time: 55 minutes
โก Calories per serving: ~480 | ๐ฝ๏ธ Servings: 6
#๏ธโฃ #ChickenParmesan #ItalianComfortFood #EasyCasserole #FamilyDinner #CheesyGoodness
Bon appรฉtit and happy cooking! ๐ฉ๐ณ๐ฝ๏ธ
