Healthier Chicken Parm Casserole with Spinach and Cheese Recipe
A healthier twist on classic Chicken Parmesan, this high-protein casserole combines baked chicken nuggets with al dente pasta, rich cheese blends, fresh spinach, and a robust marinara sauce. Air-fried chicken nuggets add a crispy texture without deep frying, while baking and broiling finish the dish to golden perfection, making it a delicious and nutritious family-friendly meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Pasta & Sauce
- 10 oz mastaccioli noodles (penne or rotini work too)
- 24.5 oz (1 jar) marinara sauce, divided
- 4 oz tomato sauce
Cheese & Dairy
- ¾ cup cottage cheese (small curd)
- ¾ cup whole ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Protein & Vegetables
- 20 baked chicken nuggets
- 1 cup fresh spinach (diced)
Seasoning & Garnish
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Fresh basil (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C) to prepare for baking the casserole later.
- Cook Pasta: Follow the package instructions to cook the mastaccioli noodles until al dente; this ensures they retain firmness after baking. Drain and set aside.
- Air Fry Chicken Nuggets: Preheat your air fryer if necessary, then air fry the 20 baked chicken nuggets for 10-12 minutes until golden and crispy on the outside, enhancing texture without extra oil.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine two-thirds of the marinara sauce, tomato sauce, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, diced fresh spinach, grated parmesan cheese, and Italian seasoning. Stir until all ingredients are well blended.
- Mix Pasta & Cheese: Add the cooked noodles to the cheese mixture and gently stir to incorporate everything evenly.
- Assemble Casserole: Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Pour the noodle and cheese mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. Arrange the air-fried chicken nuggets on top in a uniform layer.
- Add Sauce & Cheese Topping: Pour the remaining one-third of marinara sauce evenly over the chicken nuggets, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese across the surface.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the cheese to melt thoroughly.
- Broil for Crispiness: Remove the foil and move the casserole to the upper rack of the oven. Broil for 2-5 minutes, watching carefully until the cheese topping develops a golden brown, crispy crust. This step depends on your oven’s broiling intensity.
- Garnish & Serve: Remove the casserole from the oven, top with fresh basil leaves for added flavor and color, serve hot, and enjoy your healthier chicken parmesan dish!
Notes
- For best results, do not overcook pasta initially as it will continue cooking in the oven.
- You can substitute homemade marinara sauce for a fresher flavor if preferred.
- If air fryer capacity is limited, cook chicken nuggets in batches to maintain crispiness.
- Broil carefully to avoid burning the cheese topping—keep a close eye during this step.
- This recipe is easily adaptable for gluten-free pasta options to accommodate dietary needs.
