This Chicken Parmesan Casserole brings rotisserie chicken, marinara, Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella together, all sprinkled with a buttery Parmesan breadcrumb topping. This casserole is quick and easy enough for a weeknight meal and delicious enough for company.
Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole
This dish is a family favorite and always a welcome sight on the dinner table. With the use of rotisserie chicken, this is an easy, hearty dish by itself, or serve this easy casserole with a simple garden salad, bowl of minestrone, vegetable soup, French onion soup, or cheese garlic bread.
Ingredients for Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Rigatoni pasta – or penne, rontini, or ziti
- Marinara – use your favorite jarred marinara or homemade marinara
- Italian Seasoning
- Cooked chicken – I like to use rotisserie chicken
- Cheese – mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese
- Butter – salted or unsalted works
- Breadcrumbs – either panko or homemade
- Basil – fresh for cutting ribbons
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Casserole
First, cook the pasta al dente according to package directions and drain well. Then add the marinara, Italian seasoning, and cooked chicken to the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Layer half of the pasta mixture in a baking dish and top with half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese. Then, add the remaining pasta mixture and the other half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, melt a little butter in a pot over low heat. You can also do this in the microwave if you prefer. Remove the pot from the heat and add the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Take the casserole out of the oven. Remove the foil and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top. Place the dish back into the oven and bake uncovered for 15 minutes or until the breadcrumb mixture is lightly browned, the cheese is melted, and the casserole is heated through.
Beth’s Recipe Tips
- Cook the pasta al dente as you will be baking it again.
- Use any cooked chicken. I like to use rotisserie chicken because it is juicy and available at almost every grocery store or warehouse store.
- Use your favorite jarred or homemade marinara.
- For optimal flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.
How to Cut Basil Ribbons
To start, gently wash and thoroughly dry the basil. Basil does not have to be dry to cut it into ribbons, but it is much easier to sprinkle on the top of a dish when it is dry. Then stack the leaves on top of each other and gently roll them into a cylinder cigar shape. Now, using a sharp knife, slice them extra thin. Try to cut and add basil ribbons right before serving when they are at their peak.
Storage and Reheat
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave at reduced power.
To freeze, first cool completely, then cover with two layers of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil. Thaw in the fridge overnight. Remove the plastic wrap and the aluminum foil and reheat in the microwave at reduced power.
More Casserole Recipes
Chicken Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients
- 12 ounces rigatoni pasta
- 32 ounces marinara sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 3 cups cooked chicken
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Breadcrumb Topping
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- basil ribbons
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 9×13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray.
- Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions and drain well.
- Add the marinara, Italian seasoning, and cooked chicken to the cooked pasta and stir to combine. Layer half of the pasta mixture in the prepared baking dish and top with half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese. Add the remaining pasta mixture and the other half of the mozzarella chees and Parmesan cheese.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile melt a little butter in a pot over low heat. Remove the pot from the heat and add thebreadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine. Take the casserole out of the oven. Remove the foil and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top.
- Place the dish back into the oven uncovered and bake for 15 minutes or until the breadcrumb mixture is lightly browned, the cheese is melted, and the casserole is heated through.
Notes
- Cook the pasta al dente as you will be baking it again.
- Use any cooked chicken. I like to use rotisserie chicken because it is juicy and available at almost every grocery store or warehouse store.
- Use your favorite jarred or homemade marinara.
- For optimal flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan Cheese.
Nutrition
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Lilly
This was amazing! My family and I really loved this casserole. I served it with a garden salad with a light Italian vinaigrette. It was a yummy meal. This will be on repeat at our house.
Beth Pierce
Thank you, Lilly! I hope you enjoy it for years to come!
Tony W
Your Chicken Parmesan Casserole recipe was a delightful twist on a classic favorite! I appreciate the simplicity of the casserole while still maintaining that delicious chicken parmesan flavor – thanks for sharing! I will make it again.
Beth Pierce
So glad that you liked it, Tony!
Rose Marie
This was so hearty and filing. Perfect for this chilly weather and quite easy to prepare. The kids loved it.
Beth Pierce
Glad that the kids love it!
Kim C
This was and yummy. This recipe was a big hit with my family. Anything with cheese and chicken is a winner! Thanks for sharing!
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine, Kim!
Marie
What a tasty casserole and much easier than breading and frying all those chicken patties. Hats off to you for this delicious creation. This will be on regular rotation here.
Beth Pierce
Awesome, Marie! That sounds like a great plan!
Sally B
This is definitely my kind of comfort food, especially this time of year when it is freezing outside. Tasty, easy and satisfying. The perfect family meal. I served it with a simple garden salad! Thanks for sharing the recipe, Beth!
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome, Sally! The pleasure is all mine!
Yasmine
A casserole is such a go-to dish at this time of year. It was great to switch things up and try something new. I loved the parmasan and mozerella and the crunchy breadcrumb topping was an extra texture too. Very nice!
Beth Pierce
So happy that you liked it, Yasmine!
Erica
Such a fantastic meal! I will make this again. The family loved it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Erica! I am so glad that they liked it.
Ben
This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever eaten! I love chicken parm, and this recipe is further proof of what I always say: if you can turn something into a casserole, then you SHOULD!
Beth Pierce
I agree with you!
Cathy
Made the chicken Parmesan casserole for dinner, and it was a hit with my family! All the flavors of classic chicken Parmesan in an easy-to-make casserole!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Cathy! So happy that you liked it!
Sandra
This was really really good! Can’t believe how easy it was to prepare too!
Beth Pierce
It really is very easy to prepare!
Amanda
This was the perfect dinner. Everyone loved it. So easy to make, hearty, and a huge hit at our house!
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Amanda! I am so glad that everyone loved it!
Janelle
The family loved this one. It was so easy to make, hearty, and packed with flavor. I did add a little more cheese, but I love cheese. Thanks a bunch!
Beth Pierce
I love cheese, too! Maybe a little too much. LOL
April
So delicious! The whole family loved it! I loved how easy it was to make 😉
Beth Pierce
Thanks, April! I agree so easy and yummy!
Melissa
Great recipe – we loved the addition of the bread crumb mixture on the top. This is so much easier than making chicken parmesan and it tastes just as delicious.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Melissa! So glad that you liked the casserole.
Gina
Oh how I love a good baked pasta – this did not disappoint! I will make it again. The family really enjoyed it.
Beth Pierce
Thanks, Gina!