Easy One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole
If you love Chicken Parmesan but don’t want the hassle of breading, frying, or cooking everything separately, this One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole is the perfect solution! This dump-and-bake meal comes together in minutes—no need to pre-cook the pasta or chicken. Everything bakes together in a single dish, soaking up the rich marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese. Pair it with a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, or a crusty baguette for a well-rounded meal.
Why You’ll Love This One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe
- No Pre-Cooking Required – The dry pasta and raw chicken cook right in the sauce, so there’s no need to boil pasta or pre-cook the chicken beforehand.
- One Dish Wonder – Everything bakes in one pan, cutting down on dishes and prep time.
- Easy & Family-Friendly – A quick, cheesy, comforting meal that’s a hit with all ages.
- Customizable – Make it low-carb, swap in chicken nuggets, or adjust the pasta to fit your preferences.
Ingredients
This easy Chicken Parmesan casserole is made with just a handful of pantry staples:
- Chicken – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces.
- Pasta – Rigatoni or any pasta of choice.
- Marinara Sauce – Use your favorite store-bought marinara, or make it from scratch with my Homemade Marinara Sauce for even more flavor.
- Cheese – A mix of shredded mozzarella and parmesan for that classic melty topping.
- Seasoning – A little salt to enhance the flavors.
- Breadcrumb Topping – Italian breadcrumbs create a crispy, golden finish.
How to Make One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Preheat & Prep – Preheat your oven to 475°F and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish.
- Assemble the Casserole – Add dry pasta, chicken pieces, marinara sauce, salt, and water directly into the dish and stir to combine.
- Add Cheese & Bake – Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan over the top, then bake for 45 minutes or until the casserole reaches 165°F internally. Learn more about safe poultry handling from the USDA Food Safety Guidelines.
- Add the Breadcrumbs – Sprinkle Italian breadcrumbs over the top and bake for another 10 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Let It Rest – Remove from the oven and let the casserole sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Pairings & Serving Suggestions
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but for extra flavor and variety, try serving it with:
- A Fresh Side Salad – A simple cucumber salad adds a refreshing contrast to the cheesy casserole.
- A Hearty Bread – My baguette is perfect for soaking up any extra marinara sauce.
- More Vegetables – Round out your meal with a side of roasted vegetables for added nutrition and texture.
For a refreshing drink that complements this meal, try a glass of homemade Southern sweet tea — it’s smooth, budget-friendly, and steeps while you prep dinner.
Make Ahead, Storage, & Reheating Tips
- Make Ahead: Assemble the casserole, cover tightly with plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking and remove foil and plastic wrap before placing in the oven.
- Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3–4 days.
- Reheating: Warm leftovers in the oven at 350°F until heated through, or microwave individual portions.
Variations & Substitutions
- Low-Carb Version – Swap the pasta for cauliflower or broccoli florets or use low-carb pasta.
- Chicken Nugget Shortcut – Use frozen chicken nuggets instead of fresh chicken and skip the breadcrumb topping.
- Healthier Option – Use reduced-fat cheese or skip the breadcrumbs for a lighter dish.
- Pasta Swap – Substitute spaghetti for rigatoni and stir halfway through baking for even cooking.
Final Thoughts on One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole is an easy, family-friendly dinner that brings all the flavors of classic Chicken Parmesan into a simple, hands-off meal. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or looking for a freezer-friendly dinner option, this recipe is sure to be a hit!
If you love easy comfort food recipes like this, let me know in the comments! Don’t forget to pin this recipe so you can make it later!
Easy One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole
servings: 8
If you love Chicken Parmesan but don’t want the hassle of breading, frying, or cooking everything separately, this One Dish Chicken Parmesan Casserole is the perfect solution! This dump-and-bake meal comes together in minutes—no need to pre-cook the pasta or chicken. Everything bakes together in a single dish, soaking up the rich marinara sauce and gooey melted cheese. Pair it with a crisp salad, roasted vegetables, or a crusty baguette for a well-rounded meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces
- 2 cups uncooked rigatoni pasta or other pasta of choice
- 2 cups water
- 1 jar marinara sauce (24 oz. or 2.5-3 cups)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese shredded
- 1 cup Italian bread crumbs
- Cooking spray
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475 F.
- Spray a 9×13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Add dry pasta, cut up chicken, marinara sauce, salt, and water to the casserole dish and stir until well blended.
- Top with mozzarella and parmesan cheeses.
- Put the casserole dish on the center rack in the oven and bake for 45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the casserole is 165 F.
- Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top of the casserole and bake an additional 10 minutes.
- Remove the casserole from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- No Pre-Cooking Needed – The pasta and chicken cook directly in the sauce, so there’s no need to boil pasta or pre-cook the chicken.
- Breadcrumb Topping – For extra crispiness, you can toast the breadcrumbs in a dry pan before adding them to the casserole.
- Low-Carb Option – Swap the pasta for cauliflower or broccoli florets or use low-carb pasta.
- Cheese Tip – Using freshly shredded cheese instead of pre-shredded will melt better and create a smoother texture.
- Make-Ahead Option – Assemble the casserole ahead, cover, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before baking.
