Chicken Nugget Spaghetti has frozen chicken nuggets, marinara sauce, spaghetti pasta, and lots of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese! This is one of those casual meals the whole family loves, including picky kids.
Why I love this recipe
It is super easy, to make using just 5 ingredients, great for busy weeknights. Delicious meals can also be simple.
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Ingredients
(amounts are listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)
spaghetti pasta (or any shape pasta)
marinara sauce (or pasta sauce)
shredded mozzarella cheese
shredded Parmesan cheese
frozen chicken nuggets
Optional - Fresh Parsley
Substitutions and Additions
If desired, you can sprinkle in some Italian seasonings, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
You can use a white meat chicken nugget, diced chicken breast nugget patties, or chopped rib meat chicken patties.
You can also sprinkle some bread crumbs on top before baking.
You can grease the dish with vegetable oil, soybean oil, olive oil, butter, or cooking spray.
Equipment used for this recipe
How to make baked Chicken Nugget Spaghetti
Cooking Directions
Step 1 - In a large pot, boil water and cook the spaghetti for al dente according to the package directions.
Step 2 - When the pasta is ready, drain it in a colander and add it back to the pot.
Step 3 - Stir spaghetti with the marinara sauce, a third of the Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Set aside.
Step 4 - Preheat a conventional oven or toaster oven to 375 degrees F.
Step 5 - Lightly grease or spray an 8x8-inch casserole dish.
Step 6 - Add half of the spaghetti and sauce mixture to the dish in a single layer.
Step 7 - Top with half of the chicken breast nuggets, a third of the Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
Step 8 - Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce mixture.
Step 9 - Add the remaining chicken nuggets and the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
Step 10 - Bake uncovered in the center of the oven for 25 minutes.
Step 11 - Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Recipe FAQs
Leftover McDonald's Chicken nuggets work great in this baked chicken nugget casserole.
Yes, you can use made-from-scratch marinara sauce instead of store-bought in this recipe.
I do not recommend making this casserole in the microwave.
Quick links to other recipes you may also enjoy
- Monterey Chicken Soup
- Macadamia Nut Chicken with Honey Brown Butter Cream Sauce
- Chicken Nugget Pizza
- Veggie and Meat Spaghetti (with Vegan option)
- 5-Ingredient Penne Pasta
- 5 Minute Pizza Sauce
Chicken Nugget Spaghetti
Ingredients
- 8 ounces spaghetti pasta (or any shape pasta)
- 24 ounces marinara sauce (or pasta sauce)
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, (divided use)
- ½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1- pound frozen chicken nuggets
- Optional - Fresh Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, boil water and cook the spaghetti for al dente according to the package directions.
- When the pasta is ready, drain it in a colander and add it back to the pot.
- Stir spaghetti with the marinara sauce, a third of the Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Lightly grease, butter, or spray an 8x8-inch casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Add half of the spaghetti and sauce mixture to the dish in a single layer.
- Top with half of the chicken breast nuggets, a third of the Parmesan cheese, and 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Add the remaining spaghetti and sauce mixture.
- Add the remaining chicken nuggets and the remaining Parmesan and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake uncovered in the center of the oven for 25 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
- Leftover McDonald's Chicken nuggets work great in this baked chicken nugget casserole.
- You can use made-from-scratch marinara sauce instead of store-bought in this recipe.
- I do not recommend making this casserole in the microwave.
Nutrition
Hi and welcome. I’m Zona and I love creating recipes for easy dinners or desserts.
JamieT
Thursday 29th of February 2024
Made this recipe for lunch for two so I cut the recipe down a little. Used 6 oz’s of spaghetti, 12 oz’s canned marinara sauce,(added oregano and garlic powder) 8 frozen chicken nuggets, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese and sprinkled parmesan on the top. It tasted great and had loads of flavor. The good thing was it was enough for the two of us and we had no leftovers to deal with. Enjoy your web site and have tried other things you have presented with some success. Keep up the great work, oh I mean fun.
Zona House
Friday 1st of March 2024
Hi Jamie, I'm glad you enjoy your Chicken Nugget Spaghetti and that it was easy to downsize for two. Thanks for the comment :)