Chicken Parmesan Casserole Freezer Meal Recipe

Are you tired of the dinner time scramble? Are you exhausted by the time evening rolls around, and need a different dinner time solution? Well, say hello to your new favorite lifesaver: Chicken Parmesan Casserole – the ultimate freezer meal that’s a game-changer for hectic evenings.  This recipe has succulent chicken breasts, bathed in zesty marinara sauce, topped with a glorious blanket of gooey cheese and crispy breadcrumbs. It’s comfort food at its finest, with a hearty Italian twist that’s sure to please even the pickiest of eaters.

But wait, it gets better! This Chicken Parmesan Casserole isn’t just delicious – it’s also a make-ahead winner. With a little prep work, you can have several batches ready to pop in the freezer for those days when you just don’t have anything left in the tank for dinner.  Simply assemble the casserole, and stash it away  in your freezer for a rainy day. When dinner time rolls around, just pull it out, bake it to golden perfection, and voila – dinner is served, with minimal effort and maximum flavor.

So, are you ready to revolutionize your meal prep game? Join me as we dive into the world of Chicken Parmesan Casserole. Together, we’ll explore tips and tricks for making the perfect freezer-friendly meal that will become your family’s new go-to favorite. Let’s stock up our freezers, and say goodbye to dinner time stress once and for all!

Why You’ll love this Easy Chicken Parmesan Casserole Freezer Meal?

• Allergy-Friendly Options: Easily adapt the recipe to accommodate dietary restrictions such as gluten-free or dairy-free by using suitable substitutes.
• Make-Ahead Meals: Spend a leisurely weekend afternoon prepping several Chicken Parmesan Casseroles to stock your freezer for the month ahead.
• Minimal Ingredients: Simplify your shopping list with just a handful of basic ingredients that pack a punch of flavor.
• Endless Variations: Experiment with different sauces, cheeses, and toppings to create new flavor combinations that keep dinnertime exciting.
• Kid-Friendly Cooking: Get the little ones involved in assembling the casserole for a fun and educational cooking experience.
• One-Dish Wonder: Say goodbye to multiple pots and pans – this casserole is a complete meal in one dish, minimizing cleanup.

Chicken Parmesan Casserole Freezer Meal Recipe

This Chicken Parmesan Casserole isn't just delicious – it's also a make-ahead winner. With a little prep work, you can have several batches ready to pop in the freezer for those days when you just don't have anything left in the tank for dinner.  Simply assemble the casserole, and stash it away  in your freezer for a rainy day.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Equipment

• 9X13 Casserole dish Glass or Aluminum
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2-3 lbs Chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce Ingredients:

• 24 oz Marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions

 

Prep/freezer directions

• Label a 9×13 pan/casserole dish according to your preferred method.
• Stir sauce ingredients, plus ½ cup parmesan cheese and 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese in the pan/casserole dish
• Place chicken in sauce and top with remaining cheese.
• Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.

Oven cooking directions:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Remove Chicken Parmesan Casserole from freezer and cover with aluminum foil. 
• Place in preheated oven and cook for 40 minutes.
• Uncover and cook for an additional 40-45 minutes.
• Remove from oven, allowing to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

Dietary Adjustments

Make this recipe: 

Gluten Free: Ensure Marinara Sauce is GF (Contains no wheat) 

Dairy Free:

Omit Mozzarella cheese or replace with dairy free mozzarella alternative (I haven’t found one I love yet so I tend to simply omit for this recipe) 

Omit or Replace Parmesan Cheese with a vegan parmesan cheese 

Keyword Chicken Freezer Meals, Chicken Parmesan Casserole, easy freezer meals for new moms, freezer meals, Oven Casseroles

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Equipment needed to make Freezer-Friendly Chicken Parm Casserole Recipe

• 9X13 Casserole dish Glass or Aluminum
• Aluminum foil

Ingredients for your Chicken Parmesan Casserole

• 2-3 lbs Chicken tenderloins
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Sauce Ingredients:
• 24 oz Marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Black pepper
• 2 tbsp Olive oil

How to Make a Chicken Parmesan Casserole Freezer Meal

Prep/freezer directions:

1. Label a 9×13 pan/casserole dish according to your preferred method.
2. Stir sauce ingredients, plus ½ cup parmesan cheese and 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese in the pan/casserole dish
3. Place chicken in sauce and top with remaining cheese.
4. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.

Oven cooking directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Remove Chicken Parmesan Casserole from freezer and cover with aluminum foil. 
3. Place in preheated oven and cook for 40 minutes.
4. Uncover and cook for an additional 40-45 minutes.
5. Remove from oven, allowing to rest for 10-15 minutes before serving.

What to serve with your Make-Ahead Chicken Parmesan Casserole Recipe

Sides:

• Garlic roasted vegetables
• Garlic bread
• Caesar Salad

Desserts:

• Cannoli
• Lemon Bars
• Tiramisu

Mocktails:

• Virgin Strawberry Mojito
• Cucumber Basil Cooler
• Sparkling blueberry lemonade

Popular Substitutions and Additions:

Substitutions:

• Chicken Breasts Substitution: Instead of chicken tenderloins, use chicken breasts.
• Parmesan Cheese Substitution: If you’re looking to switch up the cheese profile, consider using Asiago cheese as a substitute for Parmesan cheese. Grate or shred the Asiago cheese to match the texture of the Parmesan for even distribution throughout the casserole.
• Mozzarella Cheese Addition: While mozzarella cheese is already a star ingredient in Chicken Parmesan Casserole, consider enhancing its gooey goodness by adding a layer of fresh mozzarella slices on top of the casserole before baking.

Additions:

• Sun-Dried Tomatoes Addition: Introduce bursts of tangy sweetness and umami depth to the casserole by adding chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the marinara sauce. Simply stir the chopped sun-dried tomatoes into the marinara sauce before layering it in the casserole.
• Spinach Addition: Sneak in some extra greens and nutrients by incorporating chopped spinach into the casserole layers. To ensure the spinach holds up well during freezing and reheating, opt for frozen chopped spinach that has been thawed and squeezed dry before adding it to the casserole layers.
• Garlic Infusion: Elevate the flavor profile of the casserole by infusing the marinara sauce with roasted garlic. Simply roast a few cloves of garlic in olive oil until soft and caramelized, then mash them into the marinara sauce along with the other seasonings before layering it in the casserole.

How to Reheat and Store Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Best way to store Convenient Chicken Parmesan Casserole Freezer Recipe leftovers?

The best way to store your leftover Chicken Parmesan Casserole is to store it in the refrigerator for a short period of time. If you are needed to extend your shelf life of your leftovers, the freezer is also a viable option for storing. Make sure to allow your leftovers to cool completely before storing, and use airtight containers or resealable freezer bags for storing in either fridge or freezer.

How long will Chicken Parmesan Casserole last in the fridge?

When you have properly allowed your leftovers to cool completely, and have used the correct storing devices, your leftovers should remain fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days.

Can I freeze Best Chicken Parmesan Casserole Make-Ahead Recipe?

Yes! We recommend making this recipe into a raw freezer meal, and cooking fresh. To do that take your 9×13 casserole dish and label it with recipe name, cooking directions and date. Then stir in all the sauce ingredients, plus ½ cup parmesan cheese and 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese into your casserole dish. Then, place chicken in the sauce and top with remaining cheese. Then cover with foil, or a dish top, and cover and freeze for up to three months.

If you have already made this recipe and are looking to freeze your leftovers, then simply follow the same strategy you would to store in the fridge. Allow to cool, and store in a freezer bag. Remove as much excess air as possible, then seal and store for up to three months.

How to Reheat Quick Chicken Parmesan Casserole Freezer Meal?

The best way to reheat your leftovers is to use the oven preheated to 325F. If previously frozen, allow your casserole to thaw overnight. Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil to prevent excessive moisture loss.

Place the dish in the oven and reheat for 15-25 minutes or until heated through. Remove the foil the last 5-10 minutes of reheating to allow the cheese topping to become bubbly and golden. Once heated through, remove and allow the casserole to rest for a few minutes before serving. 

Family Friendly Chicken Parm Casserole Freezer Recipe FAQs

Other Chicken Recipes you’ll love!

• Pesto Chicken and Veggies Freezer Meal 
• Greek Chicken with Tomatoes and Feta Freezer Meal 
• Honey Mustard Chicken with Root Veggies Freezer Meal
• Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Casserole Freezer Meal 
• Chicken Gnocchi Soup Freezer Meal

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Don’t forget to come back and let me know how your Chicken Parmesan Casserole Turned out!