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CHICKEN PARMESAN CASSEROLE recipe, served and ready to eat, easy homemade dinner
Olivia Farnsworth

Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole Comforting Easy Dinner

This Dump and Bake Chicken Parmesan Casserole is the perfect easy dinner for busy weeknights. It’s a family-friendly one-dish meal that combines tender chicken, penne pasta, and rich marinara sauce topped with melted cheese and crispy breadcrumbs. Ideal for anyone seeking delicious chicken casserole recipes and dump and bake recipes with minimal prep.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 421
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked penne pasta
  • 3 cups marinara sauce (about 1 24-ounce jar)
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 ½ lbs. raw chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
  • 1-2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese or Italian cheese blend
  • ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • Optional garnish: fresh chopped herbs such as fresh basil or fresh parsley

Method
 

  1. Set your oven to 425°F and grease a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
  2. Combine the uncooked pasta, marinara, water, salt, pepper, and diced chicken directly in the baking dish or a large bowl and mix well.
  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil so moisture won’t escape, then bake it for 30 minutes.
  4. Remove the foil and stir the pasta; it’ll be firm with some liquid still present.
  5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella evenly on top, then add the Panko breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese.
  6. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts, the top browns, the chicken is cooked, and the pasta is tender.
  7. Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh herbs if you like, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Baking times may shift depending on your oven and the type of baking dish used; glass or ceramic pans often require longer. Check pasta doneness by tasting; it should be al dente and absorb most of the liquid without being mushy. For added flavor, consider swapping some water with red wine or mixing in Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, crushed red pepper flakes, or sundried tomatoes.