Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole

Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole

🍗🧀 Chicken Nugget Pasta Bake — The Weeknight Wonder Your Family Will Beg For

“Because sometimes, dinner just needs to be cheesy, crispy, and unapologetically fun.”

 

This Chicken Nugget Pasta Bake is what happens when comfort food and kid-approved favorites join forces. It’s got tender pasta, rich marinara, gooey mozzarella, crispy chicken nuggets, and a sprinkle of Parmesan magic — all baked together until bubbly and golden.

It’s:

• Ridiculously easy — minimal prep, maximum payoff.
• Crowd-pleasing — picky eaters and grown-ups alike will clean their plates.
• Perfect for busy nights — uses pantry staples and freezer favorites.

If you’ve got 15 minutes to assemble and a little oven time, you’ve got dinner that will make everyone at the table happy.

Easy dinners are the best! They are perfect for those nights that you don’t have a lot of time to make dinner but you want something really good to eat. I get it! Being a mom of 6, I know how it is on those nights that every kid has some kind of activity. You and your husband have already divided to conquer the night.

A bonus about this dish is that you probably have everything you need in your pantry and freezer. All you have to do is boil the noodles and then throw everything in the dish and presto…. dinner is served!

 

 

 

Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole

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Ingredients

• 12 ounces box rigatoni or other short pasta
• 1 (24-oz.) jars marinara sauce
• 2 (1-lb.) bags frozen chicken nuggets, divided
• 4 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella (about 1 lb.), divided
• 1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan, divided

Instructions

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, usually 2 to 3 minutes less than package instructions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Add jar marinara sauce . 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese and toss to coat.
2. Layer half of pasta mixture into bottom of prepared dish. Arrange 2 cups chicken nuggets in a single layer over top. Sprinkle with 2 cups mozzarella and half of the Parmesan. Top with remaining pasta mixture and 2 cups nuggets.
3. Tightly cover baking dish in foil. Bake casserole until warmed through, 40 to 45 minutes.
4. Top with 2 cups mozzarella, and the remaining Parmesan. Leave foil off and continue to bake until cheese is melted and golden, 10 to 15 minutes. 

🔢 Calorie Count (Per Serving — 8 Servings)

• Calories: ~520
• Protein: 28g
• Carbs: 42g
• Fat: 24g
• Sugar: 6g

📊 Nutritional Facts (Per Serving)

\*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

 

👩‍🍳 Cooking Tips for the Best Pasta Bake

• Undercook the pasta — It will finish cooking in the oven and stay firm.
• Bake nuggets from frozen — They’ll crisp up in the oven without overcooking.
• Use a good marinara — The sauce is the flavor backbone here.
• Shred your own cheese — It melts creamier than pre-shredded.
• Let it rest — A few minutes after baking helps the layers set.

🎨 Recipe Variations

• BBQ Twist — Swap marinara for BBQ sauce and add cheddar cheese.
• Veggie Boost — Layer in sautéed spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers.
• Spicy Kick — Add red pepper flakes or use spicy nuggets.
• Alfredo Style — Use Alfredo sauce and mozzarella for a creamy version.
• Tex-Mex — Use salsa instead of marinara, pepper jack cheese, and top with cilantro.

🧒 Kid Tips

• Let kids help sprinkle cheese — they’ll love being part of the process.
• Serve with a side of carrot sticks or apple slices for balance.
• Cut nuggets into halves for easier bites for little ones.
• Make mini versions in muffin tins for fun, individual servings.

🛒 Grocery Hacks

• Buy nuggets in bulk — Freeze in smaller portions for quick meals.
• Store-brand pasta & sauce — Often just as tasty for less money.
• Cheese sales — Stock up and freeze shredded cheese.
• Parmesan rinds — Save them to flavor soups later.
• Double the recipe — Freeze one casserole for a future busy night.

📣 Reader’s Challenge: #NuggetBakeLove

I want to see YOUR Chicken Nugget Pasta Bake creations!

1. Make the recipe.
2. Add your own twist — different sauce, cheese, or nugget flavor.
3. Snap a photo of your masterpiece.
4. Post it on Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #NuggetBakeLove and tag me.

I’ll feature my favorites in an upcoming post!

💭 Final Thoughts

This dish is the definition of weeknight comfort — cheesy, saucy, and just a little playful. It’s proof that you can make something delicious without spending hours in the kitchen.

Here’s the thing about Chicken Nugget Pasta Bake — it’s more than just dinner. It’s the kind of meal that makes everyone smile when they see it coming to the table. It’s the smell of bubbling cheese and toasty nuggets filling the kitchen. It’s the joy of knowing you made something that’s both fun and satisfying without breaking a sweat.

It’s also a reminder that food doesn’t have to be complicated to be special. Sometimes, the best memories are made over dishes that are a little quirky, a little nostalgic, and a whole lot delicious. This is the kind of recipe that says, “Hey, I see you. I know you’ve had a long day. Let’s make something that feels like a hug.”

And here’s the magic — it’s not just for kids. Sure, little ones will cheer for the nuggets, but grown-ups will secretly (or not-so-secretly) go back for seconds. It’s a dish that bridges generations, where everyone at the table finds something to love.

The beauty of this bake is how adaptable it is. You can dress it up with fresh herbs and artisan cheese for a dinner party, or keep it simple for a Tuesday night when you just need to get everyone fed. You can make it ahead, freeze it, or even turn the leftovers into tomorrow’s lunch. It’s a recipe that works with your life, not against it.

And maybe that’s why I love it so much — because it’s not just about the food. It’s about the laughter that happens while you’re serving it. The way kids sneak extra nuggets when they think you’re not looking. The way the cheese stretches in those glorious, Instagram-worthy pulls. The way everyone lingers at the table just a little longer because they’re happy and full.

So go ahead — boil that pasta, grab those nuggets, and make some magic. And when you do, share it with #NuggetBakeLove so we can all drool together and swap ideas. Who knows? Your twist might just inspire someone else’s new family favorite.

Because life’s too short not to have a little cheesy, crispy joy on your plate… and in your heart. ❤️

Did you try our Chicken Nugget Parm Casserole? What did you think? Did you love it? We would love to hear from you! Please leave us a comment below or tag us on Instagram! 

 

 

 

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