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Chicken Sausage Pasta

Chicken Sausage Pasta

Chicken Sausage Pasta is your new go-to weeknight dinner solution. This flavorful and incredibly easy dish brings together savory chicken sausage, tender pasta, and a luscious sauce for a meal that’s both satisfying and simple to prepare.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Pasta
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound dried pasta such as penne, rotini, or farfalle – choose your favorite!
  • 1 pound uncooked chicken sausage casings removed and crumbled, sweet or spicy, your preference
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium is recommended
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream for an extra creamy sauce, optional
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus more for serving
  • fresh basil leaves chopped, for garnish (optional)

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet or Dutch Oven
  • Slotted spoon

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your chosen pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
    1 pound dried pasta
  2. Wait the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the crumbled chicken sausage and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving any rendered fat in the skillet.
    1 pound uncooked chicken sausage, 2 tablespoons olive oil
  3. Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the rendered sausage fat (or add a touch more olive oil if needed). Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is softened and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
    2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 medium yellow onion, 3 cloves garlic
  4. Pour in the undrained diced tomatoes and chicken broth. Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
    1 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  5. Let the sauce simmer for about 5-7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the sauce to reduce slightly. If you’re using heavy cream for an extra creamy texture, whisk it in now and simmer for another 2-3 minutes, just until warmed through.
    1/2 cup heavy cream
  6. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Add the cooked and drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and sausage are well coated in the sauce.
    1 pound dried pasta, 1 pound uncooked chicken sausage
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it's melted and incorporated into the sauce. If the sauce seems a little too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta cooking water a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your desired consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  8. Serve the Chicken Sausage Pasta immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil, if desired.
    1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, fresh basil leaves

Notes

Storing and Reheating Tips: To store leftover Chicken Sausage Pasta, allow it to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can gently warm it in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Adding a tablespoon or two of water or chicken broth can help loosen the sauce if it has thickened considerably during refrigeration. Alternatively, you can microwave individual portions until heated through, again, adding a touch of liquid if needed. For longer storage, you can freeze portions of the Chicken Sausage Pasta in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating as directed above.