Description
A comforting baked dish featuring rigatoni, marinara, golden breaded chicken, and layers of melted cheese.
Ingredients
¾ pound rigatoni pasta
32–48 oz marinara sauce
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¾ cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 eggs, whisked
1 ½ cups Italian-style breadcrumbs
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons butter
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook the rigatoni until just under al dente. Drain, return to the pot, and combine with the marinara sauce, 2 tablespoons of Parmesan, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Set aside.
2. Pat the chicken dry and cut into ½-inch strips.
3. Set up three bowls: one with the flour, seasoned salt, and pepper; one with the whisked eggs; and one with the breadcrumbs.
4. Coat each chicken strip in the flour mixture, dip in the eggs, and press into the breadcrumbs until fully covered.
5. Heat about ¼ inch of oil in a skillet with the butter over medium-high heat. When hot, cook the chicken in batches for about 4 minutes per side, or until golden. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate and cut into bite-sized pieces once cool enough to handle.
6. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Spread half the pasta mixture into the dish, top with half the chicken, 2 tablespoons Parmesan, and 1 cup mozzarella.
8. Add the remaining pasta, the rest of the chicken, and the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella.
9. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. For a crisper top, increase the oven temperature to 425°F and bake an additional 5 minutes.
10. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
Undercook pasta slightly for best texture. Use fresh mozzarella for richer melt. Let the casserole rest before slicing.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Comfort Food
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American-Italian
