Home-cooked casseroles can be healthy, too!
There is something about a warm, gooey pasta casserole that sparks cravings and makes you want to dig right in. While your oven cranks up the warmth and the perfume of home cooking permeates the house, you get the sense that wholesome, home-cooked meals are the best way to nourish yourself and your family. This chicken and penne parmesan casserole has loads of flavor, but is low in excess fat and calories. And did we mention the applause you’ll receive when you bring this dish to the table?
Chicken and Penne Parmesan Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil divided
- 1 pound lean ground chicken or turkey
- 24 ounces marinara sauce jar, no sugar added, store bought or homemade
- 12 ounces whole-grain penne uncooked (3 1/2 cups)
- 1/2 cup parmesan freshly grated, divided
- 3/4 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese grated
- 1/4 cup parsley coarsely chopped, loosely packed or garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Boil a pot of salted water for the pasta and cook according to package directions, until the pasta is al dente.
- Over medium heat, in a skillet, cook the ground poultry for about 8 minutes, or until cooked through. Season with salt and pepper. Add all of the marinara sauce and stir.
- Mix the drained pasta with the sauce,1/4 cup of the Parmesan and the mozzarella cheese. Transfer the pasta to a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray or greased with a small amount of olive oil. Sprinkle the remaining Parmesan on top of the pasta then drizzle with 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
- Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until a golden crust forms on top.
- Let it rest for about 5 - 10 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley just prior to serving, if desired.
Nutrition Information
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Here are more pasta dishes that you have to try:
Artichoke & Spinach Penne Casserole
Mozzarella and Penne Pasta Bake
Penne Pasta with Lentils & Kale
15 Pasta Dishes That Won’t Pack on the Pounds
5 Healthy Pasta Combinations to Try
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We’d love to hear what you think. Leave us a comment in the comments section below.
when do you add the chicken back in?
Stephanie, Add the sauce to the ground meat when it is done cooking, then add the meat sauce to the casserole with the cheese as directed.
What size baking dish?
Mel, Use a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. 🙂
Skinny Ms
I have Italian Seasoned ground chicken, do you think this would be over kill using an already seasoned sauce. Thanks
Susan, Italian seasoned ground chicken will work perfectly!
Do you bake and then freeze?
Angelique, I would recommend freezing, defrosting in the fridge, then baking.
I’ve made this several times and am bringing it to a family as a dinner. How far in advance can I make this? Can it stay in the fridge for 24 hours before baking?
Making 24 hours ahead will work just fine!
Made this tonight. It was good. Added some bell peppers and onions while cooking the turkey.