Donna's Smoky Baked Italian Chicken Casserole

Indulge in the comfort of "Donna's Smoky Baked Italian Chicken Casserole," a hearty, flavor-packed dish that's destined to be a family favorite. This recipe combines tender, golden-seared chicken breasts infused with smoky paprika and Italian seasoning, layered with al dente penne pasta coated in a rich, garlicky tomato sauce. Topped with a gooey blend of mozzarella and Parmesan, then baked to bubbly perfection, this casserole delivers a smoky twist on classic Italian flavors. Easy to prepare in under an hour, it's an ideal dinner for busy weeknights or cozy weekends. Garnished with fresh basil, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Perfect for serving a crowd, it transforms simple pantry staples into a satisfying and wholesome meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 72/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 14 ounces canned crushed tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 cups cooked penne pasta
• 1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

Step 2

Rub the chicken breasts with smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and sear on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 4

In the same skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.

Step 5

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

Step 6

Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and red pepper flakes (if using) to the skillet. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 7

Stir the cooked penne pasta into the sauce until well coated.

Step 8

Transfer half of the pasta mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Place the seared chicken breasts on top, then layer with the remaining pasta mixture.

Step 9

Sprinkle the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses evenly over the top.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes.

Step 12

Garnish with chopped basil leaves and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2222.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3297.1

Total Fat 110.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 42.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 752.1mg	0%
Sodium 5244.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 248.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.1g	0%
Total Sugars 37.2g
Protein 319.8g	0%

Vitamin D 7.0IU	0%
Calcium 1974.6mg	0%
Iron 18.7mg	0%
Potassium 4305.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 30.4%

Protein: 39.2%

Carbs: 30.4%