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    Grits and Pinecones » Recipes » Chicken

    Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms

    October 22, 2021 by Sharon Rigsby, Updated November 16, 2021 14 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Pinterest pin showing a white baking dish containing Chicken Marsala Pasta.

    Yes, my easy Chicken Marsala Pasta is chock full of tender, juicy chicken, melty cheeses, hearty pasta, and earthy mushrooms. But it’s the creamy Marsala wine sauce that elevates this tasty casserole from ordinary to extraordinary.

    Like my classic Chicken Marsala with Prosciutto recipe, this dish is not only packed with flavor, but it’s also family-friendly and quick enough for a weeknight dinner! It’s also the perfect make-ahead dinner party recipe. Creamy Chicken Marsala Pasta is the very definition of comfort food!

    A spoonful of chicken marsala pasta.

    This Marsala pasta dish can be made ahead of time so that you have time to spend with your family or guests, and it also freezes beautifully.

    If you are like me and always like to have an emergency casserole in the freezer for unexpected guests or to take to a sick friend, you will love this recipe. I almost always double the recipe and serve some and freeze the rest to serve another time. And, did I mention it is absolutely delicious!  This is one of our family’s favorite recipes, and I know you will love it too. 

    Special thanks to my longtime friend, Carolyn Haley, who hosts  A Southerner’s Notebook blog, for sharing this recipe with me several years ago.

    Here’s what’s in it:

    Chopped cooked chicken, ziti, cheese, chicken stock and butter on a counter.
    • Chicken – you can use white or dark meat in this recipe. A rotisserie chicken works great too.
    • Ziti – is a smooth tube-shaped pasta that works perfectly in this recipe. You can substitute penne or another sturdy pasta if you prefer.
    • Marsala – is a fortified wine from Sicily that is commonly used in cooking and baking and sometimes as a dessert wine. It has a distinctively sweet, rich taste and is what makes the Marsala wine sauce so flavorful.
    • Butter – is combined with flour to make the base of the Marsala wine sauce and adds a rich, buttery flavor and velvety texture.
    • Flour – is mixed with butter and is used to thicken the Marsala wine sauce.
    • Chicken stock – adds flavor and brings together all of the other elements of the sauce. You can use purchased or homemade chicken stock.
    • Mozzarella and parmesan cheeses – in my world, you can’t have a casserole without cheese, and this one is no exception. Small cubes of melted mozzarella in this casserole take it to another level, and the parmesan cheese adds its own salty, nutty taste.
    • Salt and pepper – enhance all of the other flavors and bring them together in one cohesive dish.
    • Parsley – adds a fresh taste and a beautiful pop of color to an otherwise brown casserole.

    How to make it:

    1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    2. Cook the pasta to the al dente stage, following the package directions. Drain and set aside.
    Cooked ziti in a colander.
    1. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil, and when it’s hot, add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for six to seven minutes or until they are tender and lightly browned.
    Sliced mushrooms in a bowl.
    1. Add the salt and pepper and continue cooking until any liquid evaporates. Next, add the Marsala, and continue cooking until all of the liquid has evaporated. This usually takes around two to three minutes.
    2. Add in the butter and stir until melted. Add the flour and stir, and cook for one to two minutes, just until it starts to turn light brown. Slowly add the chicken stock, constantly stirring while scraping the bottom of the pan as you add the stock. Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir until the sauce thickens, which will take another minute or two.
    Marsala wine sauce cooking in a skillet.
    1. Add the drained pasta to the sauce and mix thoroughly. Then stir in three-quarters of a cup of the Parmesan cheese, the cubed mozzarella, fresh parsley, and cooked chicken. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
    Chopped chicken, parsley, and cubed mozzarella cheese on a cutting board.
    1. Spray a 7×11 inch, oven-safe casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture. Top with the remaining parmesan cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F. or until the topping is lightly browned and the parmesan cheese has melted.
    A white casserole dish full of Chicken Marsala Pasta.
    1. Serve immediately.

    Frequently asked questions:

    What is Marsala?

    Marsala is a sweet fortified wine that comes from Marsala, Sicily. It has a distinctive taste similar to Maderia or sherry. It is most often used in cooking and baking or as a dessert wine.

    What can you substitute for Marsala?

    Maderia is the closest in taste, but if substituted, your dish will taste different. Because Marsala is the star of this dish, you can’t really substitute any other wine or chicken stock.

    In general, I do not ever recommend using cooking wine, and this dish is no exception. Again, you will end up with an entirely different flavor profile.

    What’s the best pasta to use?

    I always use either ziti or penne when making this dish, although any sturdy pasta will work. Rigate, elbow macaroni, fusilli, and rotini also work. You want a strong pasta to hold up to and trap as much sauce as possible.

    What to serve this dish with?

    This hearty casserole is best served with a simple vegetable side dish such as Sweet and Sour Green Beans, Southern Fried Cabbage, Southern Collard Greens, or my Baked Tomato Casserole.

    If you prefer to pair it with a salad, Broccoli Slaw with Ramen Noodles, Brussels Sprout Salad, Apple Pecan Salad, or my Fall Harvest Salad, would all be delightful.

    What’s the best way to cook the chicken?

    As a time-saver, I frequently purchase and use rotisserie chickens in this recipe.

    However, if you have raw chicken breasts, my Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breasts recipe works well, and the chicken always turns out tender and juicy. For a whole chicken, check out my recipe for Cast-Iron Roast Chicken; it’s a winner too!

    Sharon’s tips:

    • This is a wonderful make-ahead dish. You can either make it up to the point of baking it and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, or make it and freeze it. If you freeze it, be sure to take it out of the freezer the night before you plan to bake it to allow it to thaw before baking.
    • This recipe as written serves six. If you would like to double or increase the number of servings, simply move the serving slider bar in the recipe card to how many servings you will need.
    • Just as most pasta recipes, leftover Chicken Marsala Pasta is just as good the next day. Sprinkle a few drops of water on it and reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
    • Leftovers should be stored covered in the fridge for up to four days.

    More comfort food recipes:

    If you like comfort food as I do, you might also like these easy casserole recipes. All are delicious, quick and easy to make, can be made ahead of time, and freeze beautifully:

    • Southern Style Chicken Divan
    • Chicken Sausage and Wild Rice Casserole
    • Easy Supreme Pizza Casserole
    • King Ranch Chicken Casserole
    • Baked Spaghetti Pie Casserole
    • Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake

    ★ If you make this recipe, please leave a comment and give it a star rating. I would love to know how you liked it!

    Thank you so much for visiting Grits and Pinecones; I hope you come back soon!

    Chicken Marsala Pasta in a white baking dish.

    Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms Recipe

    Sharon Rigsby
    Easy Chicken Marsala Pasta with Mushrooms is the very definition of comfort food, a great family-friendly weeknight meal, and it's a perfect make-ahead dinner party recipe.
    4.80 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 30 mins
    Total Time 40 mins
    Course Main Dish
    Cuisine American, Southern
    Servings 6 servings
    Calories 481 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 cups cooked cubed chicken two cups is about one pound
    • 8 ounces ziti cooked according to package directions to the al dente stage, drained
    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 16 ounces sliced mushrooms baby bella or white button
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup Marsala wine
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
    • 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese divided
    • 8 oz mozzarella cheese cut into small cubes
    • 3 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
    • Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
    • In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the oil, and when it's hot, add the mushrooms. Cook the mushrooms for six to seven minutes or until they are tender and lightly browned.
    • Add the salt and pepper and continue cooking until any liquid evaporates. Next, add the Marsala, and continue cooking until all of the liquid has evaporated. (This usually takes around two to three minutes.)
    • Add in the butter and stir until melted. Add the flour and stir, and cook for one to two minutes, just until it starts to turn light brown. Slowly add the chicken stock, constantly stirring while scraping the bottom of the pan as you add the stock. Reduce the heat to a simmer and stir until the sauce thickens, which will take another minute or two.
    • Add the drained pasta to the sauce and mix thoroughly. Then stir in three-quarters of a cup of the Parmesan cheese, thee cubed mozzarella, fresh parsley, and cooked chicken. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
    • Spray a 7×11 inch, oven-safe casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray and add the mixture. Top with the remaining parmesan cheese. Bake 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees F. or until the topping is lightly browned and the parmesan cheese has melted.
    • Serve immediately.

    Notes

    • This is a wonderful make-ahead dish. You can either make it up to the point of baking it and keep it covered in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours, or make it and freeze it. If you freeze it, be sure to take it out of the freezer the night before you plan to bake it to allow it to thaw before baking.
    • This recipe, as written, serves six. If you would like to double or increase the number of servings, simply move the serving slider bar in the recipe card to how many servings you need.
    • Just as most pasta recipes, leftover Chicken Marsala Pasta is just as good the next day. Sprinkle a few drops of water on it and reheat in the microwave or the oven.
    • Leftovers should be stored covered in the fridge for up to four days.
    • As a time-saver, I frequently purchase and use rotisserie chickens in this recipe.
    • If you have raw chicken breasts, my Roasted Bone-In Chicken Breasts recipe works well, and the chicken always turns out tender and juicy. For a whole chicken, check out my recipe for Cast-Iron Roast Chicken; it’s a winner too!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 481kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 45gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 14gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 802mgPotassium: 97mgFiber: 4gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 500IUCalcium: 780mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe? Tag me today! Mention @gritspinecones or tag #gritspinecones!

    *This recipe was originally posted on October 11, 2017. It was republished on October 22, 2021, with resized photos, more information on the ingredients, a list of Frequently Asked Questions, and slight changes to the recipe.

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Ronni

      November 19, 2021 at 5:54 pm

      Are you using sweet or dry Marsala in this recipe please? Thank you!

      Reply
      • Sharon Rigsby

        November 21, 2021 at 7:49 am

        Hi Ronni, I usually use an inexpensive Marsala by Taylor which is medium-sweet. But I think either would work in this recipe. I hope you enjoy it!
        Sharon

        Reply
    2. CINDY ALDREDGE

      May 20, 2019 at 5:28 pm

      Can you make this in the morning and cook it that evening?

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        May 21, 2019 at 9:10 am

        Hi Cindy,
        Absolutely! This is a great make-ahead casserole! You can make in the morning and cook in the evening. You can also freeze the casserole prior to cooking and then just allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge and cook it the next day if you like.
        All my best,
        Sharon

        Reply
    3. grace d.

      May 07, 2019 at 12:09 pm

      Please, what size casserole dish?

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        May 07, 2019 at 12:48 pm

        Hi Grace, 9×13 is too large, maybe 9×11 or a 10 inch round casserole dish. I apologize for not including this. I hope you enjoy it!
        Sharon

        Reply
        • Robin Bright

          December 11, 2019 at 2:10 am

          How would you best recommend doubling this?

        • Sharon Rigsby

          December 12, 2019 at 5:44 pm

          Hi Robin, just double all of the ingredients and follow the directions as written. It may take a little longer to bake in the oven, but you should be fine.
          I hope you enjoy it!
          Sharon

    4. Kristy Murray

      October 08, 2018 at 11:59 am

      I love pasta recipes that you can freeze and can pull out at a later time. It makes life so much simpler. This recipe sounds amazing. Looking forward to trying it.

      Reply
    5. Kerri Mohar

      September 21, 2017 at 1:00 pm

      Another home run! This dish is simply delicious and also freezes well. You’ll have enough for a large group or two meals. It’s a real crowd pleaser too.

      Reply
      • Gritsandpinecones

        September 23, 2017 at 1:01 pm

        Dear Kerri,
        You are so sweet to leave so many nice comments. I wish I could take credit for this recipe that Carolyn Haley shared with me, but it’s all her doing! I’ll share your comments with her!
        Sharon

        Reply
    6. MaryEllen

      October 27, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      Good job Sharon I look forward to enjoying your blog!!

      Reply
    7. Martha Coppins

      September 28, 2015 at 8:29 am

      Thanks, Sharon. I am so inspired by your make one, freeze one, advise. Great for the upcoming holidays and out of town family visits.

      Reply
    8. courtney

      September 28, 2015 at 6:36 am

      Looks delicious! Great job

      Reply

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    Sharon Rigsby, blogger at GritsandPinecones.com

    Hello, I'm Sharon Rigsby, blogger, recipe developer, videographer, and photographer for Grits and Pinecones®. I have over 50 years of experience in the kitchen, and I like nothing better than developing and reimagining recipes for my family, friends, and you!

    More about me →

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