Description
This Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a comforting and easy one-dish meal that combines tender rotini pasta with crispy chicken strips, creamy ricotta, melty mozzarella, and tangy marinara sauce, all baked to golden perfection. Perfect for weeknight dinners, this recipe offers the flavors of classic chicken parmesan in a convenient casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 8 ounces dry rotini pasta
Chicken
- 6 frozen crispy chicken strips (such as Tyson or Foster Farms)
Cheese Mixture
- 2 cups ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 8 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
Sauce and Seasonings
- 1 (24-ounce) jar marinara sauce, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Cook Pasta: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish. Cook the rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Then drain and set the pasta aside.
- Cook Chicken: While the pasta cooks, prepare the frozen crispy chicken strips by air frying or baking them following the package directions. Once cooked, let them cool slightly before slicing into ½-inch pieces.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, half of the shredded mozzarella, half of the grated Parmesan, half of the marinara sauce, dried Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to blend. Then fold in the cooked pasta to coat everything evenly.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour this pasta and cheese mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Evenly distribute the sliced chicken on top, then spoon over the remaining marinara sauce. Finally, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until the casserole is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve: Once baked, garnish the casserole with freshly chopped parsley and serve hot for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh cooked chicken if preferred instead of frozen chicken strips.
- If you do not have an air fryer, baking the chicken strips in the oven is an excellent alternative.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes after baking to set before serving.
- For a spicier kick, increase the red pepper flakes to ½ teaspoon.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
