• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok

Jo Cooks

Simple - Easy - Comfort

  • All Recipes
    • Course
      • Breakfast
      • Appetizers
      • Lunch
      • Dinner
      • Desserts
      • Side Dishes
      • Soups
      • Salads
      • Sandwiches
      • Drinks/Cocktails
      • Sauces & Dressings
    • Method
      • Crockpot
      • Instant Pot
      • One Pot
      • Air Fryer
      • Casseroles
    • Season
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
      • Winter
    • Cuisine
      • Asian
      • Italian
      • Mexican
      • European
      • Indian
      • Romanian
      • Mediterranean
      • Middle Eastern
      • American
    • Ingredient
      • Chicken
      • Pork
      • Beef
      • Seafood
      • Lamb
      • Vegetarian
      • Pasta
      • Spices
    • Holiday
      • Christmas
      • Easter
      • Thanksgiving
      • Game Day
      • Valentine's Day
      • St. Patrick's Day
      • Cinco de Mayo
      • Mother's Day
      • Memorial Day
      • Father's Day
      • 4th Of July
      • Labor Day
      • Halloween
    • Recipe Index
  • Cookbooks
    • The Big Book of Jo’s Quick and Easy Meals
    • 30-Minute One-Pot Meals
  • Shop
  • About Jo
FREE recipe eBook!
Display Search Bar Search...
All Recipes
Instant Pot
30 Minute
One Pot Meals
Soups
Dips & Dressings
Baking
Pasta
Sandwiches
Sides
Chicken Dinner Casseroles Pasta
4.8 from 4 votes

Chicken Pasta Casserole

Jump to RecipePrintRate
By: Joanna Cismaru •10/19/22 5 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

This Chicken Pasta Casserole is the perfect simple and freezable weeknight dinner. It’s delicious, loaded with nutritious veggies, and finished off with a crunchy and cheesy breadcrumb topping.

Chicken Pasta Casserole on a blue plate with a fork
Table of Contents Open
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Chicken Pasta Casserole
  • What Else Can I Mix Into My Casserole?
  • How to Store Leftovers
  • Freezing
  • Did You Love This Recipe? Try These!
  • Chicken Pasta Casserole
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Notes
    • Nutrition Information
  • Did You Make This?

I’m a big casserole advocate. They’re so comforting and not to mention easy to put together. A casserole like this is also great for customization! This recipe is a great way to use up some ingredients hanging out in your fridge or pantry. Feel free to get creative and mix in any of your favorite ingredients.

This is a type of meal that also freezes really well! Make a few batches, freeze, and throw the casserole in the oven for an effortless dinner when you’re pressed for time. Dinner can’t get any easier than this!

Ingredients

This recipe is made with staples from your pantry and fridge. I’m sure you have almost everything you need waiting at home!

  • Olive oil – You can use any other type of mild-flavored oil that you have handy.
  • Elbow macaroni – You can use other small shapes such as penne, rotini, farfalle, etc.
  • White onion – You can use red or yellow onion as well.
  • Bell pepper – I used red, but you can use any type of bell pepper you want.
  • Zucchini – Eggplant or yellow squash can be used if you can’t find zucchini.
  • Chicken breasts – Thighs or ground chicken will work as well.
  • Half & half – This is half milk, half cream. It’s usually around 10%. Coffee cream, regular milk, or heavy cream can be used in its place.
  • Marinara sauce – Use your favorite type! You can also use homemade sauce.
  • Cheese – This recipe calls for Parmesan and mozzarella.
  • Breadcrumbs – I used panko for some extra crunch but any type of breadcrumb you have will work.
  • Salt and pepper – Season to taste.
  • Parsley – I love to use some chopped fresh parsley to garnish.
Chicken Pasta Casserole in a casserole dish fresh out of the oven

How to Make Chicken Pasta Casserole

  1. Cook the pasta: Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cook the chicken & veggies – Heat the olive oil in a large skillet and add the chicken. Once it has cooked, add the onion, bell pepper, and cook until softened. Season with salt and pepper then add the zucchini.
  3. Finish the casserole – Add the half & half, marinara, cooked macaroni, 1/2 cup parmesan, and cook for 5 minutes. Pour half the macaroni mixture into a casserole dish, top with 1/2 the mozzarella, remaining macaroni mixture, then top with the remaining parmesan and breadcrumbs. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.

What Else Can I Mix Into My Casserole?

This casserole is really easy to mix up and customize depending on what you need to use up in your fridge. Give some of these a try!

  • Ground beef or turkey
  • Sausage
  • Bacon
  • Chopped carrots
  • Peas
  • Corn
  • Broccoli
  • Tomatoes
  • Cabbage or kale
  • Mushrooms
  • Black beans

How to Store Leftovers

Let the casserole cool down to room temperature. You can either wrap the pan up with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or you can transfer everything to an airtight container. This casserole will last 3-5 days in the fridge.

Heat up either in the oven or in the microwave until heated through.

Freezing

It’s best to freeze this casserole before baking, but, of course, you can freeze cooked leftovers. Layer everything in the baking dish and wrap it well with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil before storing it in the freezer to avoid freezer burn. This casserole will last 2 months frozen.

Reheat in the oven at 400F covered for 40 minutes, then uncovered for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Chicken Pasta Casserole in a casserole dish with a serving taken out of it

Did You Love This Recipe? Try These!

  • Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
  • No Peek Chicken Rice Casserole
  • Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole
  • Chicken Gloria
  • Baked Penne with Italian Sausage
  • One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
  • Carbonara Mac’n Cheese Souffle
  • Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

side view shot of chicken pasta casserole on a plate
Print
4.75 from 4 votes

Chicken Pasta Casserole

Prep 15 minutes
Cook 45 minutes
Total 1 hour
Rate Recipe
This Chicken Pasta Casserole is the perfect simple and freezable weeknight dinner. It's delicious, loaded with nutritious veggies, and finished off with a crunchy and cheesy breadcrumb topping.
10

Ingredients

  • 1 pound elbow macaroni (uncooked)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound chicken breasts (skinless and boneless and cut into 1 inch pieces)
  • 1 medium onion (chopped)
  • 1 red bell pepper (chopped)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 small zucchini (chopped)
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 2 cups marinara sauce
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
  • 1/2 cup Panko breadcrumbs
  • fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions 

  • Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 400 F degrees.
  • In a large skillet heat the olive oil and add chicken. Cook chicken for about 5 to 10 minutes until slightly browned, and cooked through. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper and cook for another 3 minutes or until onion is tender. Season with salt and pepper. Add the zucchini and stir.
  • Add in the half and half, marinara sauce, cooked pasta and 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Stir and cook for 5 minutes.
  • Pour half the macaroni mixture in a 9×13 baking dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the Mozzarella cheese. Add the remaining macaroni and sprinkle with remaining Mozzarella cheese, then top with the remaining Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the Panko breadcrumbs over the cheese to add a bit of a crunch.
  • Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

  1. Storing Leftovers: Let the casserole cool down to room temperature. You can either wrap the pan up with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or you can transfer everything to an airtight container. This casserole will last 3-5 days in the fridge. Heat up either in the oven or in the microwave until heated through.
  2. Freezing: It’s best to freeze this casserole before baking, but, of course, you can freeze cooked leftovers. Layer everything in the baking dish and wrap it well with both plastic wrap and aluminum foil before storing it in the freezer to avoid freezer burn. This casserole will last 2 months frozen. Reheat in the oven at 400F covered for 40 minutes, then uncovered for 20 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 370kcal (19%)Carbohydrates: 42g (14%)Protein: 24g (48%)Fat: 11g (17%)Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)Cholesterol: 54mg (18%)Sodium: 576mg (25%)Potassium: 558mg (16%)Fiber: 3g (13%)Sugar: 5g (6%)Vitamin A: 861IU (17%)Vitamin C: 22mg (27%)Calcium: 228mg (23%)Iron: 2mg (11%)
© Author Jo

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

side view shot of chicken pasta casserole on a plate

Did You Make This?

We love seeing what you made! Tag us on Instagram at @jocooks or hashtag #jocooks so we can see your creations!

Rate Recipe
Add Your Photo!
  • 157
Home Recipes
Joanna Cismaru

Joanna Cismaru

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
iPad showing title of ebook 30 recipes from around the world
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

guest
Did you make this recipe? Rate it:




The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

5 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Kelly
Kelly
Posted: 8 years ago

Could whole milk be used in place of half and half?

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Kelly
Posted: 8 years ago

Sure!

0
Reply
Judy
Judy
Posted: 8 years ago

Hi Jo.
Long time no see. How are you?
Why don’t you freeze stuff? Even before you bake it cut into halves or whatever and freeze or after baking.
I know I’m teaching my grandmother to suck eggs but why don’t you.
Happy Hump Day!
Only you Americans!

0
Reply
Joanna Cismaru
Joanna Cismaru
Author
Reply to  Judy
Posted: 8 years ago

LOL, Probably because I never think about it!

0
Reply
Judy
Judy
Reply to  Joanna Cismaru
Posted: 8 years ago

Now you can think about it can’t you.
Isn’t it like eating it fresh?

0
Reply

sidebar

Headshot of Joanna Cismaru

Hey there!

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

Read More
Collage of recipe ebooks
Subscribe

Get our FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Loading

Pasta Favorites

baked mac and cheese in a black cast iron skillet.
45 mins

Baked Mac And Cheese

freshly made crack chicken penne with a wooden spoon in a skillet.
40 mins

Crack Chicken Penne

chicken pot pie pasta in a white serving bowl with a wooden serving spoon.
50 mins

Chicken Pot Pie Pasta

freshly made one pot pasta in a dutch oven.
20 mins

One Pot Pasta

tomato spinach chicken pasta in a white bowl.
30 mins

Tomato Spinach Chicken Pasta

homemade hamburger helper lasagna from scratch in a skillet.
30 mins

One Pot Hamburger Helper Lasagna

baked feta pasta in a white bowl garnished with fresh basil.
50 mins

Baked Feta Pasta (Tik Tok Pasta)

sideview shot of chicken fajita pasta in a white bowl with a fork inside
45 mins

Chicken Fajita Pasta

side close up shot of swedish meatball pasta in a beige braised garnished with parsley
30 mins

Swedish Meatball Pasta

overhead shot of a bowl of haluski
40 mins

Haluski (Cabbage and Noodles)

A stack of cookbooks
Grab a copy!

My Cookbooks

Order Now: Amazon | Indigo | Barnes & Noble | Indie Bound | Books-A-Million

Dinner Favorites

smothered pork chops in a skillet garnished with parsley.
1 hr 15 mins

Smothered Pork Chops

a wooden spoon lifting a salisbury steak out of the skillet
30 mins

Salisbury Steak

beef lo mein in a black wok.
30 mins

Beef Lo Mein

side shot of beef and broccoli in a skillet
15 mins

Easy Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry

shepherd's pie in a skillet with a serving taken out of it.
1 hr 25 mins

Skillet Shepherd’s Pie

a serving spoon inside a skillet with chicken broccoli rice casserole.
30 mins

One Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

side view shot of two italian stuffed peppers in a bowl
2 hrs 30 mins

Italian Stuffed Peppers

side view shot of a bowl with a scoop of spaghetti bolognese in it
40 mins

Spaghetti Bolognese

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
YouTube
TikTok
Visit our Other Site: Craving Home Cooked

Explore

Recipes
Cookbooks
About Jo
Contact

Legal

Privacy Policy
Accessibility
Disclaimers
© 2023 Jo Cooks
Site Credits
Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
wpDiscuz