Irresistibly Flavorful Pasta Casserole Your Family Will Love
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 450kcal
A flavorful pasta casserole that combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, and gooey cheese, perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back weekends.
Print Recipe
Equipment
- Casserole Dish
- mixing bowl
- pot for boiling pasta
- Oven
Ingredients
For the Pasta
- 16 ounces Penne Pasta Feel free to substitute any pasta type you love!
For the Chicken
- 3 cups Cooked Chicken Using rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option!
For the Flavor
- 2 tablespoons Italian Seasoning Homemade mixes work beautifully!
- 24 ounces Marinara Sauce Brands like Bertolli or Rao’s are recommended.
For the Cheesy Topping
- 2 cups Shredded Mozzarella Cheese Adjust the quantity for extra creaminess!
- 1 cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese Feel free to substitute with other hard cheeses if desired.
For Garnish
- ¼ cup Chopped Basil Optional, replace with dried parsley if necessary.
Instructions
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, rinse and drain it.
- Combine in a large mixing bowl the cooked pasta, shredded chicken, Italian seasoning, half of the mozzarella, half of the Parmesan, and marinara sauce.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 9x13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melty and golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped basil before serving, if desired.
Notes
This casserole freezes beautifully and is perfect for leftovers. It can be prepped ahead and baked directly from the freezer.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 450kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 80mg | Sodium: 800mg | Potassium: 600mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 350mg | Iron: 3mg