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All the comforting flavors of classic Chicken Parmesan Casserole — crispy chicken, rich marinara, and melted cheese — baked into one easy casserole. This dish has become one of my family’s favorite dinners because it’s simple, hearty, and always turns out perfectly.
If you love cheesy, saucy meals like my Simple Cheese Ravioli Bake or Fiesta Chicken Casserole, this Chicken Parmesan Casserole will be an instant hit.
👉 Don’t forget dessert! My delicious Berry Cobbler is the perfect sweet ending.
This Chicken Parmesan Casserole bakes crispy chicken, marinara sauce, and mozzarella together with pasta for a cozy, family-friendly dinner. It’s easy to assemble, budget-friendly, and ready in about an hour.
Table of Contents
- Step-by-Step Recipe Video
- What You’ll Need for Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Ingredients List
- How to Make Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole Variations
- Tips and Tricks
- Recipe FAQs – Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Serving Suggestions
- Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- More Great Casserole Recipes
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe
Step-by-Step Recipe Video
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This recipe gives you everything you love about traditional Chicken Parmesan — without the fuss of frying or layering. Just mix, bake, and enjoy a hearty Italian-style dinner in one pan.
⏰ Ready In: 1 hour
🍂 Perfect For: Family dinners, weeknights, or meal prep
🛒 Key Ingredients: Chicken, pasta, marinara, mozzarella, breadcrumbs
🍽️ Servings: 4
👩🍳 Difficulty: Easy
🧊 Make-Ahead Friendly: Fridge and freezer friendly
👉 Want a similar flavors but with less effort? Try my Chicken Cordon Bleu Pockets.
Made With Love,
What You’ll Need for Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken breast – cut into bite-sized pieces for quick cooking.
- Pasta – bow ties, penne, or any shape you like.
- Marinara sauce – the heart of that Italian flavor.
- Mozzarella & Parmesan – for rich, gooey cheesiness.
- Panko breadcrumbs – add the signature crispy topping.
👉 If you love baked pasta dinners, check out my Easiest One Pot Creamy Pasta.
Ingredients List
- 12 oz bow tie pasta (or any shaped pasta)
- 3 cups water (or chicken broth)
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400℉.
Step 2: Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray.
Step 3: Add the pasta, water (or broth), marinara, chicken, and seasonings. Stir well.
Step 4: Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Step 5: Remove from oven, stir, and sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan evenly on top.
Step 6: Add panko breadcrumbs over the cheese and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, until golden and bubbly.
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
Chicken Parmesan Casserole Variations
- Swap panko for crushed crackers or Italian breadcrumbs.
- Use cooked shredded chicken for an even quicker prep.
- Add fresh basil for extra Italian flavor.
- Mix in spinach or diced tomatoes for color and texture.
👉 If you like easy layered dinners, try my Red Chili Chicken Enchiladas.
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Use chicken broth instead of water for richer flavor.
- Shred your own cheese for the best melt.
- Cover tightly while baking so the pasta cooks evenly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving to thicken the sauce.
Recipe FAQs – Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Yes! Reduce the covered bake time to about 30 minutes since the chicken is already cooked.
Assemble the casserole up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate; bake when ready.
Yes, freeze before baking for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and bake as directed.
Bow tie, rotini, or penne hold sauce beautifully in this casserole.
👉 Looking for another comfort classic? Try my Hashbrown Hamburger Casserole.
Serving Suggestions
- Garlic bread or toasted baguette
- Caesar salad or steamed broccoli
- Sprinkle fresh parsley before serving
- Berry Cobbler for dessert
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Keeps up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze before or after baking up to 2 months.
- Reheat: Bake covered or microwave single servings until hot.
More Great Casserole Recipes
📌 If you try this recipe, give it a rating — it helps others find the best recipes!
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 oz bow tie pasta
- 3 cups water or chicken broth
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 1 lb chicken breast, bite-sized
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ⅓ cup Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Mix pasta, broth, marinara, chicken, and seasonings in baking dish.
- Cover and bake 40 minutes.
- Stir, top with cheeses and breadcrumbs.
- Bake uncovered 15 minutes until golden.
Video
Notes
- Substitute shredded chicken for faster prep.
- Freeze unbaked casserole up to 2 months.
- Use broth instead of water for richer flavor.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Hello Julia
I made this for dinner yesterday. My family loved it. Thank you for the recipe. I love your dump and go recipes.
Greatings from Germany
This recipe is the bomb! After baking, I cut this up in individual portions and freeze it. I thaw and heat up in a pan on top of stove. So delicious! Just wondering if you think I could make this in a foil pan for delivery to a family with a medical emergency.
I haven’t made this yet. I wanted to double check that you are putting “uncooked” pasta into the casserole dish? Looks Yummy!
Thank you Julia for the recipe Chicken Parmesan
Casserole it was excellent and it is in my Special
Recipe box so I don’t lose it.
Hey Julie, do you precook chicken or use raw, and pasta bows cooked or raw to mix in with other items to bake 40 minutes??
Thanks!
In the video she states raw/uncooked for both
Made this for my teenage boys for dinner tonight between sports – it was a HIT!! Super easy, fast and filling. Plus delish! (But I did double the chicken because, well, teens.)