This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
This CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALL CASSEROLE has all the flavors of traditional Chicken Parmesan without the mess of frying chicken! This recipe freezes great and is a favorite with family and friends.
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 lately. It’s full of melty cheese, healthy chicken, and the tomato sauce totally counts as a veggie.
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. 😉
Ingredients Notes:
Ground Chicken – We use lean ground chicken in this recipe, but ground turkey works just as well and can be easier to find.
Panko – We love panko because it’s so light, airy, and crisp. Regular bread crumbs will also work in meatballs.
Italian Seasoning – This adds loads of flavor thanks to the basil, oregano rosemary, and thyme.
Marinara – We use and love Rao’s marinara sauce. It’s our favorite brand of jarred sauce.
Campanelle – We think this is a fun pasta shape to use in this meatball casserole, but you can use any small shape of pasta that you like.
What is Panko?
Panko is a Japanese bread crumb that is light, airy, and crispy. It can be found in most any grocery store. We highly recommend using Panko over traditional bread crumbs in any breading recipe where you want a crispy finished product. It works well in meatballs too!
How to make:
Boil your pasta as the directions indicate on the package, but cook them for one minute less than the recipe calls for. This will help your pasta to not overcook in the oven.
Mix together the ground chicken, panko, egg, parmesan cheese, and milk, After they are all mixed well form into balls about an inch in diameter.
Place all the balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil. These will bake in just 10 minutes.
Add the pasta sauce to a large bowl and stir in the cooked pasta and meatballs.
Now spread half the pasta mixture into a 9 x 13 pan then top with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Then repeat with the second layer of both.
Bake for 20 minutes at 350 degrees F or until all the cheese is melted.
Helpful Tip!
Freeze the dish ahead of time!
After layering the pasta and cheese cover tightly with foil and freeze until ready to bake.
Bake at 350 degrees F for around 2 hours or until hot.
More Family Favorites:
- Bacon Cheeseburger Meatloaf
- Bubble Up Enchilada Bake
- Sloppy Joe Tater Tot Casserole
- Oven Fried Chicken Strips
- Hamburger Casserole
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
- 2 cups shredded 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 9×13 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.
Tina Wedlake says
I did do that, and it brought me to this one, and I still can’t find it. Am I doing something wrong ? I clicked on it, and it brought me to the above box and i looked through the recipes to find it and couldn’t spot it. That is why I had written to you. 🙂 Those look delectable. 🙂
Karly says
Well, that’s weird and frustrating! Sorry you’re having problems! I have a few brownie recipes on my site, and I’m not sure which one you’re speaking of specifically. I’m guessing it’s either this one or this one. 🙂
Tina Wedlake says
In the email ya sent me ( just opened it.) in the bottom right hand corner, is the most delicious-looking brownies I have ever seen !!! No can find the pic in the “Food I must make immediately” box. :***(
We are brownie lovers in this house. And here ya are, teasin’ me with brownies that look like Johnny Depp in chocolate form, well, Karly, that just ain’t right. 🙁
Where’s the recipe ? I can’t thou not findeth it. :/
Karly says
You can click on the pictures in the email and it will take you to the recipes. 🙂
Rose says
There are only two of us and a full recipe would definitely be too much. So I would make the full recipe and separate into two meals, one for now and one for the freezer. If I freeze this recipe, do you thaw before baking or bake from the frozen state?
Karly says
I don’t freeze casseroles myself, so I’m not speaking from experience here, but I’d probably just bake it frozen, just like a frozen lasagna.
Jay Burnett says
I love this recipe. As a volunteer I make casseroles for group homes so would appreciate a rundown of servings.
MAUDE says
next on my list! thanks so much for including “how to freeze into.” i’m all about baking double, freeze one. so thanks again!
olga says
Hi! I was wondering if I use frozen meatballs, Would I have to thaw them first or can I use them frozen without thawing them?
Karly says
I would bake the meatballs separately to cook them and then continue on with the recipe.
pratik tarifler says
Omg. I am turkish boys but this food really looking yummuy 🙂 ? wanna try to make it:)
Jeane' Ridges says
I just used the meatball recipe. They were delicious and easy.
Kelly Anne says
A few notes:
1. Awesome dish overall, I will make this again.
2. The meatballs are moist and wonderful.
3. It needs more sauce. At least 1/2 jar if not more
4. Don’t over season with Italian spices – recommendation is perfect
DARLENE says
Can I grind my own chicken in a food processor? I can never find ground chicken and am tired of ground turkey. What do you think?
Karly says
Hi Darlene!
You can certainly try that, though you’ll want to be careful not to turn it to mush. I have a hard time finding ground chicken too and just swap in turkey all the time. I can’t tell a difference between the two in cases like this.
DARLENE says
Great, and lean turkey (90% or so) is ok? I tried making meatballs with lean turkey once and they fell apart.
Karly says
Yep, that’s what I use. They always hold up for me. 😉
Megan says
I just pinned pretty much all of these recipes. Thank you!
Karly says
Thank you!!
Alicia Wagner says
My husband sent me this recipe on the different ways to make chicken parmesan. Csn’t find the other recipes, but this one is fantastic!
bästa sms lånet says
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about smslån. Regards
Erica says
What an excellent idea! I’m currently living with my in-laws and was given a package of ground chicken to make for dinner tonight. Definitely making this! Hopefully it’ll be a crowd-pleaser 🙂
Am says
What a wonderful meal. I loved that it was “lighter” for a casserole. Used Organic ground chicken — yummy. Thank you for sharing!