Recipe Station

Here's everything you need for this rich and hearty rigatoni bake. You need just one hour total time for this easy recipe that makes six servings.

Let's Get Started…

Ingredients To Gather:

• 1 lb. chicken breasts, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 2 Eggs, beaten
• 1/2 c. italian breadcrumbs
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• vegetable oil
• 1/2 package rigatoni pasta
• 1 jar marinara sauce
• 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella, plus more for sprinkling on top
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

Directions To Follow:

1. Start by making the nuggets. To do this, take the chicken and the egg and place both in a gallon-sized resealable plastic bag. Toss to coat, and then add Italian breadcrumbs, closing the bag and then shaking so that the chicken is completely coated. Pour vegetable oil into the bottom of a large saute pan — just enough to coat the bottom of the pan — and then warm the oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is warm, put the chicken nuggets in the pan and cook on all sides for about 3 or 4 minutes or until they're crispy. You'll know they're done when they're white inside when you cut them open. Once they're cooked, place them on a paper towel-lined plate.
2. Next, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and then make the rigatoni, following the package directions so that it's al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside, and then assemble the bake. To do this, start by pouring some of the marinara sauce into the bottom of a casserole pan and then in a large mixing bowl, toss the rigatoni with the rest of the  marinara, mozzarella, parmesan and chicken parm nuggets. Then, use a ladle to put this mixture into a casserole dish. Put mozzarella on top and then bake for between 15 and 20 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Finished!

We like to add some fresh parsley on top for a garnish, and we really like the extra flavor it adds. However, this rigatoni bake is so packed with taste it's amazing either way.

Happy Baking & Enjoy!

Article Source: Delish