This meatball casserole recipe has all the flavors of traditional Chicken Parmesan without the mess of frying chicken! This can also be one of your go-to freezer meals that your whole family will love!
I have a confession to make.
I’ve been rocking this domestic thing. Laundry, vacuuming (I just got a new vacuum
and I LOVE it!), all that jazz. You guys, I even make my bed in the mornings. I have never been a make your bed type of person. Ever.
That’s not the confession, though. That was just me bragging.
The confession? I have been failing at dinner. Hardcore.
This meatball casserole was a total dinner win!
My husband works some rather unpredictable hours. When things go wrong at work, he has to stick around and fix them. It’s a bummer when it comes time to cook dinner.
I’ve told him that 6:30 is dinner time and he can either be home then or he can microwave left overs when he does decide to drop by. The thing is, on the nights that I’m pretty sure he isn’t going to make it on time, the kids and I eat random junk. Cereal, my favorite cold sandwich, chips with restaurant style salsa, oatmeal. Whatever, if it takes me less than 5 minutes, I serve it.
This Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole is my way of making up for the lackluster dinners we’ve been having. It’s full of melty cheese, healthy chicken, and the tomato sauce totally counts as a veggie.
You’re going to love this chicken Parmesan casserole!
Plus, pasta reheats like a dream and is usually even better the next day! My whole family ate this, although I did have to chop the meatballs up into tiny pieces for my daughter. She hates meatballs, unless she doesn’t know she’s eating meatballs and then she loves them. Kids are weird.
I think you’re going to love the traditional chicken Parmesan flavors in this recipe, especially because it’s so much easier than frying chicken! The meatballs bake in no time which make this a nice weeknight meal, too!
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Chicken Parmesan Meatball Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground chicken
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 pound campanelle pasta any small shape is fine, such as ziti
- 24 ounces marinara sauce 1 jar
- 2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook for 1 minute less than package directions state.
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- While the pasta is cooking, prepare the meatballs. Add all of the ingredients to a large bowl and use your hands to mix them together well. Form into small balls, about 1 inch in diameter and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until cooked through and no longer pink. Remove from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
- Add the pasta sauce to a large bowl and stir in the cooked pasta and meatballs. Stir gently to coat everything in sauce.
- Spread half of the pasta and meatballs into a 9x13 baking dish. Top with half of the mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Serve immediately.
- *To freeze this dish, stop just short of baking the casserole, cover tightly with foil, and freeze until ready to bake. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.*
Nutrition Information:
Need some more easy dinner ideas?
Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
Follow Buns In My Oven’s board Food I Must Eat Immediately on Pinterest.
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Mary Nahay says
My husband and I made a double batch of your recipe today to share with our daughter who Blessed us with our new Grandson three weeks ago. It got at least 10 stars from Grandaddy and new Mom Catherine, and I’m sure new Dad will love it too.
We thought it needed more sauce so we used about 32 oz. and adjusted the spices accordingly. Used a throw away pan with lid for the new Mom ( our daughter) and put some extra sauce in double zip lock bags just in case hubby needed more.
Got a text tonight, it was PERFECT!
Thank you! Not only are the new parents happy and well-fed, but the new love of my life will be, too! Grandparents are over the moon delighted! The prep is so easy.
Line everything up beforehand hand, have trays prepared, preheat oven, put out measuring cups, have all ingredients in the counter, have a garbage bowl…… Ready….,set…go!!!!!! That’s how easy it is and it’s easy and DELICIOUS!!!!! Now I’ll have have ours with a quick salad, some crusty bread, ( just a smidge)! And plan more meals for my Grandson’s parents!!! Thank you, again!!!!! Mary
Karly says
Hi @Mary Nahay,
I’m so glad you guys liked this! And congratulations on the new grandson. What an exciting time for all of you!
Liz says
Thank you – nice and easy!
Wowguy says
omg to die for.. and the cheeeeeeese
vadeem @vadeem says
Fascinating, something I’d consider making.
Danielle says
oops mini Farfalle* pasta 🙂
Danielle says
Does it matter on the type of pasta? I have mini farelle in the pantry, is a pound still needed? This looks amazing! And i have everything at home already! 🙂
Karly says
@Danielle,
Sorry for the late reply! Any small shape of pasta, such as Farfelle, would work great!
[email protected] says
My family will love this! We love our chicken parmesan around here, but I personally like meatballs better. Yum-o! On my dinner menu!
Karly says
@[email protected],
Enjoy!
Heather says
Great dish!!! Even my picky 8 year old enjoyed it. Next time thou I’m going to add more seasoning. Thank you for sharing, definitely will be making it again.
Melissa says
@Heather, Heather i was wondering if you have made it again since and if so what type of seasonings did you add? Did you like those seasonings or would you try something different next time?
Melissa @ Bless this Mess says
Dinner perfection! I love that you made your own meatballs… those frozen ones in a bag are foul. My kids are going to be singing your praises on Friday because that’s when I I’m making this. Thanks a million girl!
Karly says
@Melissa @ Bless this Mess,
Kids who love meatballs?? Wanna trade? 😉
Hope you guys enjoy!
Erika says
Ha! I agree with your daughter about meatballs 🙂
Karly says
@Erika,
You two weirdos! 😉 Ground chicken would work just as well, if you must leave out the delicious balls o’ meat!
Jessica @ Jessiker Bakes says
WOW. This looks insanely delicious! I love chicken parmesan and you’ve now smothered it in sauce…and…best of all…cheese!!! Yes! Thanks Karly!
Lauren says
OMG. The cheese on these are killing me!!
Paula – bell’alimento says
Perfect weeknight dinner idea for those busy, crazy days of kid taxi driving! Pinning!
Nigel says
This sounds so so good; need to have some now! 😀
Kari/sourdoughnative says
Wow! You def made up for making the bed Karly! This looks so good…
[email protected] says
This looks absolutely amazing, Karly! Love great weeknight dinners like this!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
oooh I love this! Everything I love in a dinner recipe-cheesy, chicken-y, pasta-y, and simple!!
Donna Copping says
Could you just brown the chicken in a skillet and not make into meatballs?
Karly says
@Donna Copping,
Yeah, I think that would work just fine. 🙂
Bryn says
Green can cheese? Freshly grated cheese?
This looks so good and easy. Thanks!
Karly says
@Bryn,
I used fresh Parmesan here, but if you wanted to save a few bucks, the green can would work just fine! 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness says
An easy, weeknight meal that tastes like chicken parmesan? YES PLEASE!
You are a genius.
I love that little flower napkin you threw in..so cute!
Pinned!