Description
A delicious and easy One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Pasta Bake combining classic flavors with minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, ready in under an hour!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
- 12 ounces penne pasta (or any short pasta)
- 3 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (or 1 teaspoon dried basil)
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven – Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté Chicken – In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Garlic – Stir in garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add Pasta and Liquids – Pour in pasta, marinara sauce, and chicken broth. Stir well.
- Simmer – Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
- Stir in Parmesan – Mix in the grated Parmesan cheese.
- Top with Mozzarella – Sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top.
- Bake – Transfer the pot to the oven and bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Optional Breadcrumb Topping – Toast breadcrumbs in a small pan with olive oil for 2-3 minutes until golden, then sprinkle over pasta.
- Garnish and Serve – Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve hot.
Notes
- Protein – Use ground chicken, turkey, or sausage.
- Vegetarian – Replace chicken with mushrooms or chickpeas and use vegetable broth.
- Cheese – Swap mozzarella for provolone or fontina.
- Spicy – Increase red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: One-Pot, Baking, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Keywords: one-pot pasta, chicken parmesan bake, easy dinner recipe, cheesy pasta, family-friendly meal