Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole is a traditional Italian dish with a rich, creamy tomato-based marinara sauce, layers of pasta, meatless chicken with a mixture of vegan mozzarella, vegan parmesan cheese, baked to delicious cheesy perfection. 

This Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole is so delicious and cheesy that you won’t believe it’s dairy-free! Many versions are made with egg batter and dairy-based cheese, but this vegan version is healthier and more delicious than its dairy and meat base variations. 

Vegan Chicken Casserole is the perfect dinner for vegetarians and vegans who love Italian food as much as Italians do! It’s comforting, filling, and delicious! With plenty of cheesy goodness, thanks to a vegan mozzarella and parmesan combination, you’ll be proud to serve this dish at dinner parties to your non-vegan friends. 

A combination of pasta, Daring Breaded Plant Chicken, and a vegan parmesan cheese mix make this a filling meal. It’s a simple recipe that results in a delicious brunch or dinner. Pair this vegan casserole with a salad, and dinner is served!

What is Daring Breaded Plant Chicken?

Dare to be different! The latest in plant-based products, Daring Plant Chicken, is a meat-free alternative to traditional chicken, perfect for vegans and vegetarians. Breaded Plant Chicken satisfies the craving for chicken without any of the downsides. 

In each serving, there are 11 grams of protein and zero fat and is entirely cholesterol free. From taste to texture to crave-ability, Daring is better. Daring Plant Chicken is non-GMO certified and made with simple, recognizable healthy ingredients.

Toss into anything that calls for chicken – from soups and salads to curries and sandwiches or even casseroles. It’s a win-win. Plus, it cooks in minutes, even from frozen. So, ditch the chicken and make your next meal more “daring.”

Why you’ll love this recipe

Mom always said we eat with our eyes, and this vegan casserole recipe proves she’s right. This vegan chicken casserole is made up of plant-based ingredients and looks just like chicken parmesan! This recipe is an excellent way to have all the flavors of classic chicken parmesan without an actual chicken or cheese!

This vegan chicken parmesan casserole is so delicious and satisfying that nobody will miss the meat. But here’s the best part: it’s healthy and packed with good-for-you ingredients. This Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole is made with a delicious and easy homemade marinara sauce, hearty rigatoni pasta, and vegan parmesan cheese sprinkled on top.

How to make Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Vegan Chicken Parmesan is a fast, easy, and delicious weeknight meal. You can make it with a few simple ingredients and a little prep time.

Ingredients
  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 50 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 cup vegan shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup vegan Parmesan cheese
  • 16 oz Daring Original Breaded Pieces
  • Fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
  1. Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box
  2. When the pasta is ready, drain it and add it to the pot. Toss with the 50 oz of sauce, and set aside.
  3. Next, cook the Daring Original Breaded Pieces according to the package or cook in the air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Assemble the casserole:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Add half of the rigatoni/sauce mixture. Top with half of the Daring chicken strips, 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  3. Add the remaining rigatoni. Add the Daring chicken strips and the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
  4. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Remove from oven and increase heat to 425 and bake for about 5 more minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley

Serving Suggestions:

Vegan Chicken Parmesan is a delicious and meat-free entree, perfect for serving with a nice vegetable side. Such as:

Brussel sprouts – Brussel sprouts are simple to prepare and make an excellent side dish to this vegan casserole. Fresh from the oven, they are the perfect accompaniment to our vegan chicken parmesan.

Caesar salad – For a vegan Caesar salad, swap the chicken breast with a tofu steak. Grilled and broiled tofu slices are also a fantastic alternative.

Fettuccini Alfredo – If vegan fettuccini alfredo is more your style, then this creamy and delicious dish will complement the vegan chicken recipe very well.

What can I add to this vegan chicken casserole?

Casseroles seem to get a bad rap, but a good casserole is probably the best way I know to throw together a delicious and nutritious meal that’s inexpensive and store-bought-ingredient-free. With casseroles, you can add in pretty much any ingredients you love, but consider some of these ideas:

  • Add different veggies like peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, tuna, or salmon
  • Add a hint of your favorite spice for a twist on your meal
  • Try fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme – Add in additional cheese(vegan) for more flavor

You can also add any vegetables that you like; mushrooms, olives, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, and asparagus are some of my favorites.

Does vegan chicken taste like chicken?

Vegan chicken is made from soy, wheat, and pea protein. As a result, the texture is similar to real chicken, but the taste is not the same. It has a flavor of its plant-based taste, which can be compared to tofu, seeds, and even mushrooms. Vegan chicken is very similar to tofu; it only tastes like chicken if you season it in a way that makes it taste like chicken.

INGREDIENTS
  •  1 pound rigatoni pasta
  • 50 oz Marinara Sauce
  • 1 cup vegan shredded mozzarella cheese
  •  1/3 cup vegan Parmesan cheese
  • 16oz Daring Original Breaded Pieces
  • Fresh Parsley to garnish
METHOD
  1. Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box
  2. When the pasta is ready, drain it and add it back to the pot. Toss with the 50 oz of sauce, and set aside.
  3. Next, cook the Daring Original Breaded Pieces according to the package or cook in the air fry at 400F for 12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
Assemble the casserole:
  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Add half of the rigatoni/sauce mixture. Top with half of the Daring chicken strips, 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  3. Add the remaining rigatoni. Add the Daring chicken strips and the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
  4. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and increase heat to 425 and bake for about 5 more minutes.
  5. Garnish with fresh parsley
Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Vegan Chicken Parmesan Casserole

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course, Pasta
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb rigatoni pasta
  • 50 oz marinara sauce
  • 1 cup vegan shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/3 cup vegan Parmesan cheese
  • 16 oz Daring Original Breaded Pieces
  • Fresh parsley to garnish

Instructions
 

  • Prepare the pasta according to the directions on the box
  • When the pasta is ready, drain it add it back to the pot. Toss with the 50 oz of sauce, and set aside.
  • Next, cook the Daring Original Breaded Pieces according to the package or cook in the air fry at 400F for 12 minutes flipping halfway through.

Assemble the casserole:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  • Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. Add half of the rigatoni/sauce mixture. Top with half of the Daring chicken strips, 1/3 of the Parmesan cheese, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese.
  • Add the remaining rigatoni. Add the Daring chicken strips and the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
  • Bake uncovered for 25 minutes remove from oven and increase heat to 425 and bake for about 5 more minutes.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley

Notes