If you’re looking for a quick, easy, and tasty recipe for Chicken Sausage Pasta as a weeknight dinner, this inspired dish is a perfect choice. I first tried it one day when my husband had cooked some chicken sausages for lunch, and I came across the leftover fridge ingredients a decent amount of pasta, spinach, mushrooms, and creamy goat cheese. Combining everything in a pan, it transforms into a cozy, well-balanced meal that’s ready in under 25 minutes. The sauce coats the pasta and peas perfectly, adding a spicy, Italian touch, while the varieties of combinations with leftover veggies, garlic, parmesan, or potato gnocchi make it a favorite for the whole family.
What I love most about this comfort food is how it takes simple ingredients and quickly makes something delicious, yet healthy. The tweaked original recipe gives a bit more depth and flavor, with a little extra cheese or spicy chorizo for readers who want to lighten it up. It’s a reliable, go-to meal that hits the spot every time, whether you’re cooking together, using less than 10 ingredients, or just looking for a simple, cozy dish that feels like a treat while staying healthy, perfect to link to Simple Chicken Tetrazzini Casserole.
Why We Love This Chicken Sausage Pasta:
What makes Chicken Sausage Pasta so special is how quickly it goes from start to finish, being ready in just 25 minutes while still feeling like a well-balanced meal. It’s easily customizable, so you can use your favorite chicken, sausage, pasta, and veggies like spinach or mushrooms, making it perfect for whatever you already have at home. This simple dish combines macro-balanced protein, carbohydrates, healthy fat from oil and goat cheese, plus fiber from veggies, turning basic ingredients into something that everyone will love. It’s the kind of recipe that’s made for both weeknight dinners and special moments when you want a delicious, comfort food experience without overcomplicating things.
Is Chicken Sausage Healthy?
When it comes to Chicken Sausage Pasta, choosing the right ingredients is key to keeping it healthy. Chicken sausages can be a great addition to any diet if you look for options with no added nitrites, nitrates, fillers, binders, or artificial components. I personally prefer using the brand Bilinski, which has a good amount of protein, not too much fat, and isn’t loaded with sodium. This way, you get a ton of flavor while keeping your meal nourishing and balanced, making it easier to enjoy Chicken Sausage Pasta guilt-free.
Ingredients for Chicken Sausage Pasta:
Here is the list of simple and easily available ingredients that you’ll need to make chicken sausage pasta:
- Pasta: rigatoni, penne, chickpea, gluten-free (choose based on preference or dietary needs)
- Olive oil: for sautéing and flavor
- Chicken sausage: Bilinski, andouille, apple (mild Italian or spiced, depending on taste)
- Vegetables: spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, bell peppers, broccoli (mix or substitute as desired)
- Sauce: marinara, traditional tomato, basil, arrabbiata (spicy or mild)
- Cheese: goat cheese, parmesan, feta (adds creaminess and richness)
- Seasoning: salt, pinch of regular or gluten-free salt, garlic (fresh or powder)
- Butter: salted or unsalted (for richness)
- Cream / Dairy options: heavy cream, half & half, dairy, dairy-free, oat milk (substitute or omit as needed)
- Broth / Milk: for additional moisture or lighter texture (fairlife milk optional)
- Finishing touches: fresh basil, lemon juice, block of parmesan
How to Make Chicken Sausage Pasta (Step by Step guide):
Here is the secret recipe described in a step by step guide that will make your pasta tasty and makes people crazy:
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Cook the pasta by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Follow the instructions until al dente, then drain, set aside, and cool, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken Sausage
Start cooking the chicken sausage and veggies. Add oil to a skillet over medium heat until hot, then place sliced chicken sausages in the pan for 3-4 minutes until browned on one side, flip for another 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Cook the Vegetables
Add chopped spinach or other vegetables until softened, then turn low. Optional: sauté with butter and garlic, or add peas and red pepper flakes for extra flavor.
Step 4: Assemble the Pasta
Mix the cooked pasta, marinara sauce, a little goat cheese, and about 2 tablespoons of reserved pasta water, then season with salt and pepper.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Toppings
For richer flavor, grate parmesan and gradually incorporate it. Top with fresh basil, lemon juice, or other toppings of choice.
Step 6: Optional Sausage Crisping
Prep the sausages by slicing into thin coins (~1/4 inch thick), then toss briefly in high heat to achieve crisped edges and color, which fully improves flavor and texture.
Step 7: Serve
Serve hot and enjoy your perfectly cooked Chicken Sausage Pasta!
How to make Chicken Sausage Pasta (video):
Here is the video description of how to make chicken sausage pasta:
Tips for the Best Chicken Sausage Pasta:
- Consistency
Focus on consistency: the sauce may seem a bit thin at first, but it sets nicely after a few minutes, giving your pasta a rich, smooth texture.
- Garlic and Heat
Be careful not to burn garlic and make sure the heat isn’t too high when adding butter, while you stir constantly to avoid scorching and keep the flavors balanced.
- Protein Options
If you want more protein, you can sub chicken breast, ground chicken, or ground turkey in place of the sausage, and always place ingredients thoughtfully so every bite is satisfying and
Substitutions and Additions:
- Pasta
Use any kind of pasta like penne, spaghetti, angel hair, elbow, or rigatoni, ensuring it has a good surface area to soak up the sauce. Opt for gluten-free if needed.
- Olive Oil
Swap olive oil with any neutral oil to suit your taste or availability.
- Chicken Sausage
Feel free to use your favorite chicken sausage while avoiding apples if preferred, and you can experiment with different flavors for variety.
- Veggies
Add more veggies like onion, broccoli, zucchini, bell peppers as substitutes or additions to make the dish colorful and nutritious.
- Sauce
Experiment with marinara, classic red, store-bought, or homemade tomato sauce, or even swap for pesto for a unique twist.
- Cheese
For creamy flavor, try goat cheese or feta instead, and to keep it dairy-free, simply leave off the cheese.
- Spices
To spice it up, add a little garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, or your preferred spices, about 1-2 teaspoons, enough to boost flavor and enhance the dish.
What to Serve with Chicken Sausage Pasta:
When I make Chicken Sausage Pasta, I like to keep it flexible sometimes it’s a full one pan meal that already includes hearty pasta, juicy sausage, and tender peas, but other times I want an additional side to balance things out:
- Roasted carrots bring a sweet contrast to the savory flavors.
- A spoon of pesto with warm bread makes an easy fresh pairing.
- Crispy fried brussels sprouts add crunch and depth.
- Swapping in Asparagus Chicken Pasta is another kind of twist I try when I want variety.
Notes
When I make Chicken Sausage Pasta, here’s what I keep in mind:
- If you don’t want to use heavy cream, try using half and half for a lighter touch.
- A gluten-free pasta works great with this recipe and tastes just as good.
- I love to top the whole thing with shaved parmesan, or swap in goat cheese or burrata for variety.
- If the consistency of the sauce may seem thin at first, let it set for a few minutes so it thickens nicely.
- Use about 2 oz of freshly grated cheese roughly 3/4 cup to balance the chicken and sausage flavor.
- Pick ones like the links mentioned above or similar brands for best taste.
- For nutrition, most links look close to 100 cals with about 12-14g of protein per link, but values can vary depending on the brand.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Storage
After enjoying Chicken Sausage Pasta, I always allow the pasta to cool completely before I store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator—it keeps well for up to 4-5 days, and I’ve found the leftovers hold their taste nicely after cooling in the fridge.
Reheating
When reheating, you can pop it in the microwave for a couple of minutes, using 30-second increments until it’s warmed through, or place it in a skillet to reheat, which I personally think helps the sauce maintains its flavor and texture a bit better, making it just as comforting as when freshly made and easy to warm the way you like.
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