Save to Pinterest A comforting crowd-pleasing pasta bake featuring tender chicken tangy tomato sauce and a golden cheesy topping.
This baked chicken parmesan pasta first made an appearance at a family gathering and disappeared within minutes. Since then it's become my go-to for potlucks and cozy dinners.
Ingredients
- Chicken: 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 500 g) 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Pasta: 400 g (14 oz) penne or rigatoni pasta
- Sauce: 700 ml (24 oz) marinara or tomato-basil pasta sauce 2 cloves garlic minced
- Cheese: 200 g (2 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese 60 g (1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese 100 g (1 cup) Italian-style breadcrumbs
- For Serving & Garnish: 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley (optional) olive oil spray
Instructions
- Prepare Oven and Dish:
- Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Lightly grease a 22x33 cm (9x13 inch) baking dish.
- Cook Pasta:
- Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until just al dente (about 2 minutes less than package instructions). Drain and set aside.
- Season and Cook Chicken:
- While pasta cooks season chicken breasts with salt pepper and Italian seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat drizzle a little olive oil and cook chicken breasts 4 5 minutes per side until golden and just cooked through. Transfer to a board cool slightly and dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large bowl combine cooked pasta diced chicken marinara sauce garlic and half of the mozzarella and Parmesan. Mix well.
- Layer and Top:
- Spread the mixture evenly in the baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan then top with breadcrumbs. Lightly spray the top with olive oil.
- Bake:
- Bake for 20 25 minutes until bubbling and the top is golden brown.
- Final Steps:
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil or parsley if desired.
Save to Pinterest My kids always race to get the cheesy crunchy corners and it's one of the few dinners they happily help to make together.
Required Tools
Large pot large skillet baking dish mixing bowl knife and cutting board are all you need to bring this pasta bake together.
Allergen Information
Contains wheat (pasta breadcrumbs) milk (cheese) eggs (may be present in breadcrumbs) always check product labels for potential allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides approximately 530 calories 17 g total fat 54 g carbohydrates and 37 g protein.
Save to Pinterest Serve immediately for the crispiest topping and enjoy leftovers warmed gently the next day.
Recipe FAQs
- → How do I prevent the chicken from drying out?
Cook chicken breasts over medium-high heat until just golden and cooked through, avoiding overcooking before baking.
- → Can I use other types of pasta?
Penne or rigatoni work best as they hold sauce well, but any short pasta will complement the dish nicely.
- → What cheese combinations enhance the flavor?
A mix of mozzarella for meltiness and Parmesan for sharpness delivers a balanced, rich topping.
- → How long should the pasta be cooked before baking?
Cook pasta until just al dente, about 2 minutes less than package directions, to avoid softness after baking.
- → What garnishes complement this baked pasta?
Fresh chopped basil or parsley adds freshness and aroma to the finished dish.