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Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Bake in a casserole dish, hot from the oven

Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Bake: The Ultimate Comfort Food Casserole


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  • Author: Oprah
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings

Description

This Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Skillet Bake combines crispy golden chicken with tender rotini, rich marinara, and layers of mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, it’s a hearty, comforting casserole that’s ideal for busy weeknights or cozy weekends with family.


Ingredients

1 pound rotini pasta

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces

Vegetable oil, for frying

2 cups all-purpose flour

4 large eggs, beaten

2 cups Italian-style bread crumbs

2 tablespoons garlic powder

16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided

48 ounces marinara sauce


Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until just tender but still slightly firm, about 8 minutes. Drain well and set aside.

2. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep skillet or heavy pot to 375°F.

3. Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with bread crumbs mixed with garlic powder.

4. Coat the chicken pieces first in flour, then dip into the eggs, and finally press into the bread crumbs until well coated.

5. Fry the chicken in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

6. In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, fried chicken, half of the mozzarella, and half of the Parmesan cheese. Stir in the marinara sauce until evenly coated.

7. Spread the mixture into a large casserole dish and cover tightly with foil.

8. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle with the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan, and return to the oven.

9. Bake uncovered for another 25–30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

10. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Make-ahead tip: Assemble the entire dish the night before and bake fresh the next day. Add 5–10 extra minutes to bake time if coming straight from the fridge.

For extra crispiness, broil the top for 2 minutes at the end of baking.

Great for leftovers—just add a spoonful of marinara before reheating to keep it moist.

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Category: Comfort Food
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian-American