Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Bake

1.Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

2.In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

3.In a large skillet over medium heat, season the chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. Cook the chicken until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat.

4.In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, and marinara sauce. Stir until everything is well coated.

5.In a greased 9x13 inch baking dish, spread half of the pasta mixture evenly on the bottom. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese over the pasta.

6.Layer the remaining pasta mixture on top, followed by the rest of the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. If desired, add red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

7.Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

8.Once baked, remove from the oven and let it sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped basil before serving.