Description
This Baked Chicken Parmesan Pasta is a comforting and flavorful dish that combines tender shredded chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich marinara sauce, all topped with bubbly, golden mozzarella and parmesan cheeses. Perfect for a cozy family dinner, it’s easy to prepare and bakes to perfection in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the pasta dish evenly.
- Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, shredded cooked chicken, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to fully integrate the seasoning and sauce throughout the pasta and chicken.
- Transfer to Baking Dish: Pour the combined mixture into a suitable baking dish, spreading it evenly for consistent baking.
- Add Cheese Toppings: Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and grated parmesan cheeses over the top of the pasta mixture to create a rich, cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the dish to cool for a few minutes. This rest time helps the pasta set slightly and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Use any type of cooked pasta such as penne, rigatoni, or rotini for best results.
- Leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken work well for this recipe to save time.
- For extra flavor, consider adding sautéed garlic or onions to the pasta mixture before baking.
- Feel free to add vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers for a nutritious boost.
- This dish can be prepared ahead, assembled, and refrigerated before baking.
- To make it gluten free, use gluten-free pasta and ensure marinara sauce is gluten free.
