Description
One-Pot Chicken Parmesan Mac & Cheese is a creamy, cheesy comfort dish that combines tender pasta, juicy chicken, marinara sauce, and a blend of cheeses for a delicious twist on two classic favorites—all made in a single pot for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned on all sides, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add chicken broth, macaroni, and marinara sauce. Stir well and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until pasta is cooked, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream, mozzarella, and Parmesan until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
- Return chicken to the pot and stir to combine. Cook for 2–3 minutes to heat through.
- If desired, sprinkle seasoned breadcrumbs over the top and broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and crispy.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- For extra flavor, use freshly grated Parmesan instead of pre-shredded.
- Substitute penne or rotini pasta if elbow macaroni isn’t available.
- To make it spicier, add red pepper flakes along with the seasonings.
- This recipe reheats well—add a splash of milk when reheating to keep it creamy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 960mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: chicken parmesan mac and cheese, one-pot pasta, cheesy chicken pasta