To make baked chicken parmesan meatballs with penne in one pan, mix 1½ lb ground chicken with garlic, parsley, parmesan, seasoned panko, an egg and onion powder, and roll 1½-inch meatballs. Spread 12 oz uncooked penne in an oven-safe skillet, stir in 2½ cups marinara and 2 cups chicken broth, nestle in the meatballs, then cover and bake at 420°F for 40 to 45 minutes. Top with mozzarella and bake 5 to 7 minutes more. It serves 4.
Italian baked chicken parmesan meatballs pasta is the ultimate comfort meal made easily in one pan. This recipe is perfect for busy families. It’s a no fuss meal that everyone will love!
I am in love with one-pan meals. Between teaching all day and then coming home, just to have to run back out for sports practices and dance classes, a good one pan meal is my ticket to sanity. This easy baked chicken parmesan meatballs with penne pasta recipe has my back any day of the week.
It can be so incredibly challenging to find the time to prepare a wholesome, delicious meal that everyone in the family will enjoy. The one-pan wonder is perfect for those hectic days when you need something quick, satisfying, and packed with flavor.
I first whipped this up for a Sunday football game with the family, and it was an instant hit! Now, my kids often request these easy baked meatballs, and I love making a big batch so they can enjoy them as a protein-packed after-school snack.
Get ready to add this easy baked chicken parm meatballs with penne pasta to your easy dinner rotation!
why your family will love this recipe
- One-Pan Dinner. Minimal cleanup means more time to relax and enjoy the game or family time.
- Flavor-Packed. The classic combination of savory chicken meatballs, marinara sauce, and melted cheese is irresistible.
- Kid-Friendly. Perfect for picky eaters, these meatballs are a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Make-Ahead Magic. Prepare a big batch, and you’ve got a ready-to-go meal or snack for busy days with the Italian baked chicken parmesan meatballs.
- Nutritious and Filling. Packed with protein and wholesome ingredients, this dish is both satisfying, comforting and nourishing.
ingredients
Italian baked chicken parmesan meatballs
- ground chicken
- garlic
- fresh parsley
- grated parmesan cheese
- seasoned panko bread crumbs
- egg
- onion powder
penne pasta
- penne pasta
- marinara sauce
- chicken broth
- shredded mozzarella cheese
- extra parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)
- fresh basil for garnish (optional)
substitutions for this recipe
- Ground Chicken: Swap with ground turkey or beef if preferred.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: Use regular breadcrumbs or gluten-free options
- Parmesan Cheese: Pecorino Romano can be a tasty alternative.
- Penne Pasta: Substitute with any short pasta like rigatoni or fusilli.
how to make one pan chicken parmesan meatballs pasta
Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 420 degrees F.
Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, garlic, parsley, parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, egg, onion powder, salt and pepper. Form into 1½-inch meatballs.
Assemble the Dish: In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, spread the uncooked penne pasta. Pour marinara sauce and chicken broth over the pasta, stirring to combine. Nestle the meatballs into the pasta mixture.
Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes until the pasta is al dente and meatballs are cooked through.
Add Cheese: Remove foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil, if desired and enjoy!
chicken parmesan meatballs pasta Storage and meal prep
Store these delicious leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can make the chicken parm meatballs ahead of time and freeze them. Simply add the meatballs to the pasta and sauce mixture when ready to bake and you’ve got a quick, easy and delicious meal ready to go in no time.
This chicken parmesan meatballs with penne pasta recipe makes one incredible meal prep! It’s easy, delicious, and loaded with comfort and flavor. You will want to divide the chicken parm meatballs into 4 meal prep containers and get ready for one delicious week of prepped lunches!
serving chicken parmesan meatballs for game day
This is the dish I first made for a Sunday football game, and it’s still our go-to when we’re feeding people during the game. Bring the whole skillet to the table on a trivet with tongs and a big spoon, and let everyone serve themselves. Add a green salad and garlic bread and dinner is done.
- Make ahead: roll the meatballs the day before and keep them covered in the refrigerator, or freeze them as described above, then assemble and bake before kickoff.
- Feeding a bigger crowd? Make two skillets or baking dishes rather than crowding one, so the pasta cooks evenly.
- Check doneness: chicken meatballs are done when they reach 165°F in the center.
pro-tip for this recipe
For an extra crispy top, switch the oven to broil for the last 2-3 minutes of baking. Keep a close eye to prevent burning, and enjoy that perfectly golden, cheesy crust!
I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do. It’s definitely one of those recipes worth saving. There’s nothing better than having what looks and tastes like a gourmet meal on the table, but one that saves you time behind the scenes.
Please leave us a star review and comment if you make this family loved recipe.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. I answer every single question as quickly as I can.
Happy cooking! And thanks for being part of our tribe, The Tasteful Tribe!
ENJOY!
chicken parmesan meatballs pasta FAQs
No. The uncooked penne bakes right in the marinara and chicken broth under foil, so everything cooks in one pan.
Check one with an instant-read thermometer. Ground chicken is done at 165°F in the center.
Yes. Roll them a day ahead and refrigerate, or freeze them. Add them to the pasta and sauce when you are ready to bake.
It serves 4. For a game day crowd, make two skillets instead of piling more into one.
If you love this recipe, check out…
- The Best Homemade SpaghettiOs with Mini Meatballs
- Thai Peanut Chicken Meatballs
- The Best Caramel Apple Dumplings
- Simple Creamy Ham and Potato Corn Chowder
- The Best Baked Chicken Marsala Meatballs
- Easy Crispy Loaded Baked Potato Salad (Made with Tater Tots!)
- Easy Crispy Fish Parmesan (Better Than Chicken Parm!)
- Italian Chicken and Tri-Color Pasta (Easy One-Pan Weeknight Meal!)
- Mini Meatball Subs (Easy Air Fryer Recipe!)
- Easy Hawaiian Pizza Sliders (On Hawaiian Rolls!)
recipe video
📌 Save this for later!
Easy Baked Chicken Parmesan Meatballs with Penne Pasta (One Pan Meal!)
Ingredients
for the chicken parmesan meatballs
- 1½ lb ground chicken
- 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
for the penne pasta
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2½ cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- extra parmesan cheese, for topping (optional)
- fresh basil , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 420 degrees F.
- Prepare the Meatballs: In a large bowl, mix together the ground chicken, garlic, parsley, parmesan cheese, panko bread crumbs, egg, onion powder, salt and pepper. Form into 1(1/2)-inch meatballs.
- Assemble the Dish: In a large oven-safe skillet or baking dish, spread the uncooked penne pasta. Pour marinara sauce and chicken broth over the pasta, stirring to combine. Nestle the meatballs into the pasta mixture.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes until the pasta is al dente and meatballs are cooked through.
- Add Cheese: Remove foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for another 5-7 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with extra parmesan and fresh basil, if desired and enjoy!
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to tag thetastefultribe on instagram @thetastefultribe if you try this one-pan baked chicken parmesan meatballs recipe. We love seeing your version of the recipe! You can also post your pictures to our facebook page!
SJT
A family favorite!
Megan Oxenreider
The whole family truly loved this one!! Even the picky eaters. I love the ground chicken as a healthier option, yet still packed with protein.
Sarah Troester
So happy to hear this!! Thank you for sharing!
Chris
So easy to make! But great! I wish I could post a photo of how mine turned out!