Go Back
A saucy, cheesy dump-and-bake chicken parmesan pasta casserole, freshly baked.

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Parmesan Pasta – The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Meal

This dump-and-bake chicken parmesan pasta is a perfect easy weeknight meal. With minimal prep and hands-on time, you'll have a delicious and satisfying dinner ready for the whole family.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 55 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Large bowl

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound Penne or Ziti Pasta uncooked
  • 1.5 pounds Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 24-26 ounce jar Marinara Sauce
  • 2 cups Chicken Broth
  • 14.5 ounce can Diced Tomatoes undrained

Seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Dried Italian Seasoning
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon Black Pepper

Cheese & Garnish

  • 2 cups Mozzarella Cheese shredded
  • 0.5 cup Parmesan Cheese grated (plus more for serving)
  • Fresh Basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Spread the uncooked pasta evenly over the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
  • Distribute the cubed chicken pieces over the pasta.

Sauce & Baking

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the marinara sauce, chicken broth, undrained diced tomatoes, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Pour the sauce mixture evenly over the chicken and pasta, ensuring the pasta is mostly submerged.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  • Carefully remove the foil, stir the pasta and chicken, then sprinkle both mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the top.
  • Return the uncovered dish to the oven and bake for another 20-25 minutes, until the pasta is tender, chicken is cooked through, and cheese is bubbly and golden.

Serving

  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken before serving.
  • Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve.

Notes

For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce. This dish reheats well and is great for meal prep during the week. Adjust baking time as needed based on your oven and desired pasta tenderness.