Get ready to discover your new go-to weeknight dinner. This Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta is the perfect marriage of savory sausage, tender pasta, and a luxuriously smooth cream sauce that comes together in under 35 minutes. It’s a simple, one-pan meal that packs an incredible amount of flavor, making it a guaranteed hit with the whole family. Forget complicated recipes; this dish is designed for busy people who crave delicious, comforting food without the fuss. We’re talking minimal cleanup and maximum satisfaction.
Why This Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe Works
This isn’t just another pasta dish; it’s a streamlined recipe optimized for flavor and ease. The magic lies in building layers of flavor in a single pan. We start by browning the chicken sausage to create a fond—those delicious brown bits at the bottom of the pan—which becomes the base for our entire sauce. By cooking everything together, the pasta absorbs the savory flavors of the garlic, herbs, and sausage, making every single bite absolutely irresistible. It’s the kind of comforting meal that tastes like it took hours to prepare.
The Key Ingredients for Perfect Sausage Pasta
While this recipe is incredibly straightforward, the quality of your ingredients makes all the difference. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters.
Choosing Your Chicken Sausage
The star of our creamy chicken sausage pasta is, of course, the sausage. I recommend using a pre-cooked Italian-style chicken sausage, as it comes packed with herbs and seasonings that infuse the sauce with flavor from the very beginning. You can choose sweet, mild, or spicy Italian sausage depending on your preference. Just be sure to slice it into even, bite-sized rounds for perfect browning.
The Best Pasta Shapes
For a creamy dish like this, you want a pasta shape with plenty of nooks and crannies to catch the sauce. Medium-sized shapes like Penne, Rigatoni, Fusilli, or Cavatappi are all excellent choices. They have the perfect structure to hold onto that rich, creamy goodness.
Building the Cream Sauce
The secret to an ultra-creamy, flavorful sauce is a simple combination of chicken broth, heavy cream, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. The broth provides a savory base, the cream adds richness, and the Parmesan cheese melts beautifully to thicken the sauce while adding a salty, nutty flavor. A touch of Italian seasoning and red pepper flakes rounds it all out.
How to Make Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta Step-by-Step
This one-pan wonder simplifies your cooking process. Follow these steps for a perfect result every time.
- Brown the Sausage: Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until it’s nicely browned on both sides. Remove the sausage from the pan and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add minced garlic to the same pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
- Deglaze the Pan: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. This is where all the flavor is! Bring the broth to a simmer.
- Cook the Pasta: Stir in the uncooked pasta, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Make sure the pasta is submerged in the liquid. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Combine and Finish: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Return the browned chicken sausage to the pan and stir to combine. Let it heat through for a minute or two.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and extra Parmesan cheese, and serve immediately.
For another incredibly satisfying one-pan meal, check out this classic Shepherd's Pie recipe. It’s pure comfort in a dish!
Tips for the Best Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta
- Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can make your sauce gritty. Grating your own from a block ensures a silky-smooth sauce.
- Don’t Overcook the Pasta: The pasta will continue to absorb liquid as it sits, so cook it until it’s just al dente for the best texture.
- Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the sauce before serving and adjust the salt, pepper, or red pepper flakes to your liking. Different brands of chicken sausage and broth can vary in sodium content.
Delicious Variations to Try
One of the best things about this creamy chicken sausage pasta is how easy it is to customize. Here are a few ideas:
- Add Veggies: Stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or sun-dried tomatoes during the last few minutes of cooking.
- Make it Spicy: Use a spicy Italian chicken sausage or add a generous pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Swap the Protein: This recipe works well with crumbled Italian pork sausage or even leftover shredded chicken. You could even try our amazing chicken street tacos for another delicious chicken idea.
If you’re looking for another cozy and creamy dinner, you’ll love this creamy chicken parmesan soup.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftover pasta in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as it will thicken in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, this recipe is very versatile. You can easily stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or chopped sun-dried tomatoes during the last 2-3 minutes of the pasta’s cooking time.
Absolutely! While penne is a great choice, any medium-sized pasta with ridges or tubes will work well. Try using rigatoni, fusilli, or cavatappi to capture all of the delicious cream sauce.
For a dairy-free version, you can substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut milk or a dairy-free cream alternative. Use a high-quality, dairy-free Parmesan cheese substitute to finish the sauce.
The key to a smooth cream sauce is using freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can prevent them from melting properly. Also, be sure to stir the cheese in off the heat.
For the best flavor, we recommend using a pre-cooked Italian-style chicken sausage. Both sweet and spicy varieties work wonderfully, as they are already seasoned with herbs that complement the creamy sauce.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
We hope you love this Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta as much as we do! It’s a true weeknight hero that delivers on both flavor and convenience. If you make it, we’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and a rating below. For more easy and delicious recipe inspiration, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe
Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta (The Ultimate Weeknight Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until nicely browned on both sides, about 5-7 minutes. Remove sausage from the pan and set aside.
- Add minced garlic to the same pan and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the uncooked pasta, heavy cream, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Ensure the pasta is submerged. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pasta is al dente.
- Remove from heat and stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Return the browned chicken sausage to the pan and stir to combine. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
Feel free to add 2 cups of fresh spinach during the last 3 minutes of cooking for extra nutrients.
