Delight your family with a fresh twist on a classic, cheesy Italian-American dish!
One of my dad’s favorite foods is chicken Parmesan—a classic Italian-American dish made with tender breaded chicken breast, luscious red sauce, and melted Parmesan cheese. But over the years, my mom got crafty and quick with how she served this mouthwatering meal. For example, we recently discovered this chicken Parmesan casserole recipe. It combines the best of traditional chicken Parm with hearty whole wheat pasta for an easy, delectable dinner that delights the whole family.
While it still takes about an hour to be table-ready, the wait is incredibly worth it. After baking, the blend of pasta, chicken, and cheese turns out golden and melty on top. Each bite seems more satisfying than the last! Then, the fresh basil brings an herbaceous complement that perfectly balances the rich, cheesy flavors of this dish.
Plus, it’s likely that you’ll have leftover casserole to save for another meal, so it’s a great idea to make this on a weekend to have throughout the week.
Is the chicken breaded?
Not in this recipe! Typically, chicken Parmesan is breaded, and that’s one of my mom’s least favorite steps to follow. The beauty of this casserole is that the breadcrumbs go on top of everything, so that you still get that satisfying golden brown crunch without the hassle of breading the meat. Instead, chicken is sprinkled throughout the dish, creating a meal that’s as easy to make as it is to eat. As long as you have some pre-cooked chicken handy, you’re all set!
How do I store leftovers?
Let your casserole cool to room temp before storing it, but don’t leave it out longer than 2 hours. If you have room in your fridge, you can simply cover your casserole dish with aluminum foil or plastic wrap, or you can transfer leftovers to an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, until it’s piping hot all the way through.
Serving suggestions
While my family prefers to enjoy chicken Parmesan casserole all by itself because it’s so filling, you can also complement it with something light and green like Sautéed Broccolini, Peas And Carrots, or Italian Salad. It also goes marvelously with a side of Garlic Toast, Potato Rolls, or Flatbread Pizza. Whether you want to go light and bright or carb-rich, there are plenty of great pairings to choose from.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces whole wheat penne pasta
- 24 ounces marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese shredded and divided
- 2 1/2 cups chicken breast meat cooked and chopped
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 1/4 cup whole grain breadcrumbs
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente, which takes about 7-10 minutes. Drain.
- In a large bowl, mix together the drained pasta, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, half of the mozzarella cheese, and the cooked chicken until evenly combined.
- Lightly grease a casserole dish. Pour the pasta mixture into the dish. Evenly sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese, the Parmesan cheese, and the whole grain breadcrumbs over the top.
- Bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and the topping turns golden, about 25 minutes.
- Take the casserole out of the oven and let it rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve warm.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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