I am a huge advocate for weeknight dinners that feel special without requiring hours in the kitchen, and this Chicken Sausage Pasta is the perfect example. It’s a dish I created one evening when I was craving a creamy, comforting pasta but wanted something a little lighter than a traditional bolognese. The combination of lean chicken sausage with a rich, tomato-cream sauce was an instant success, and it has been in my regular rotation ever since.
You are going to absolutely love this recipe because it delivers incredible flavor in under 30 minutes. It’s the perfect “pantry pasta” that uses high-quality jarred marinara as a shortcut, which is then elevated with a touch of heavy cream, savory chicken sausage, and a kick of spice. It’s a cozy, satisfying meal that tastes like it simmered for hours, but it comes together in a flash.
The Ingredients for Your Creamy Pasta Dinner
- 12 ounces penne pasta (gluten-free pasta if needed)
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 12 ounces (4 links) Italian chicken sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter or more olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
- 3 Tablespoons tomato paste
- 24 ounces Marinara sauce (I used Rao’s)
- 1 cup heavy cream (coconut cream, or cashew cream)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- To Serve: Freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, fresh thyme
How to Create Your Chicken Sausage Pasta
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
First, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package directions until it’s al dente. Just before you drain the pasta, make sure to reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water.
Step 2: Brown the Sausage and Aromatics
While the pasta is cooking, heat the 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 skillet and set it aside. In the same skillet, melt the butter, then add the diced onion and cook until it softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, cooking for another minute until fragrant.
Step 3: Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce
Stir the tomato paste into the onions and garlic and let it cook for a minute to deepen its flavor. Pour in the marinara sauce and the heavy cream, stirring until everything is well combined. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer.
Step 4: Combine and Serve
Return the browned chicken sausage to the skillet with the sauce. Season with kosher salt. Add the cooked and drained penne pasta to the skillet and toss everything together until the pasta is well coated in the creamy sauce. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency. Serve immediately, topped with a generous amount of freshly grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of fresh basil or thyme.
My Best Tips for This Chicken Sausage Pasta
My Secret for the Best Sauce Flavor
The small step of cooking the tomato paste for a minute before adding the other liquids is a game-changer. It caramelizes the sugars in the tomato paste, which removes any raw, tinny taste and adds a wonderful depth and richness to the finished sauce.
Don’t Skip Browning the Sausage
Taking the time to get a nice brown sear on the chicken sausage slices before you build the sauce adds a huge amount of flavor. Those caramelized bits on the sausage and in the bottom of the pan are packed with savory goodness that will infuse your entire sauce.
Use a High-Quality Marinara
Since the jarred marinara sauce is doing a lot of the heavy lifting in this recipe, using a high-quality brand that you love the taste of will make a big difference. Look for one with simple, recognizable ingredients. It’s a simple shortcut that makes this quick meal taste exceptionally good.
Delicious Variations to Try
This Chicken Sausage Pasta is incredibly easy to customize. For a boost of greens, you can stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale at the end and let it wilt into the sauce. If you like things spicy, you can use a hot Italian chicken sausage or increase the amount of red pepper flakes. For a different flavor profile, try adding some sautéed mushrooms or roasted red peppers to the sauce along with the onions.
FAQS
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, absolutely! To make it dairy-free, simply use a dairy-free butter substitute (or just more olive oil), and swap the heavy cream for full-fat coconut cream or a homemade cashew cream. Omit the parmesan cheese topping or use a dairy-free alternative.
What kind of chicken sausage should I use?
This recipe is great with either sweet or spicy Italian chicken sausage. It all depends on your personal preference. You could also use other flavored chicken sausages, like one with roasted garlic or sun-dried tomatoes, to add another layer of flavor.
Can I make this ahead of time?
While this pasta is best enjoyed fresh, you can certainly make the sauce ahead of time. Prepare the sauce completely and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat the sauce on the stovetop and cook a fresh batch of pasta to toss with it.
Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
Description
This Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta delivers incredible flavor in under 30 minutes, making it the perfect weeknight dinner. The recipe features savory browned chicken sausage and penne pasta tossed in a luxurious tomato-cream sauce elevated with Italian seasoning and a kick of spice. It’s a cozy and satisfying meal that tastes like it simmered for hours but comes together in a flash.
Ingredients
12 ounces penne pasta (gluten-free pasta if needed)
1 Tablespoon olive oil
12 ounces (4 links) Italian chicken sausage, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter or more olive oil
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
Pinch of red pepper flakes
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
24 ounces Marinara sauce
1 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream, or cashew cream)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
To Serve: Freshly grated parmesan cheese, fresh basil, fresh thyme
Instructions
Cook the Pasta:
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of the starchy pasta water before draining.
Brown the Sausage and Aromatics:
While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides. Remove and set aside. In the same skillet, melt the butter, then cook the diced onion for about 5 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes, and cook for one more minute.
Build the Creamy Tomato Sauce:
Stir the tomato paste into the onions and cook for one minute to deepen the flavor. Pour in the marinara sauce and heavy cream, and bring to a gentle simmer.
Combine and Serve:
Return the browned chicken sausage to the sauce and season with salt. Add the cooked penne and toss to coat, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if the sauce is too thick. Serve immediately, topped with grated parmesan cheese and fresh herbs.
Notes
Add Some Greens:
For a boost of nutrients and color, stir in a few handfuls of fresh spinach or kale at the end of cooking and let it wilt into the creamy sauce.
Dairy-Free Version:
To make this dish dairy-free, use olive oil instead of butter, substitute the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream or cashew cream, and use a dairy-free parmesan alternative.
Make-Ahead Sauce:
The sauce can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the sauce while you cook a fresh batch of pasta.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: chicken sausage pasta, creamy tomato pasta, 30-minute meal, weeknight dinner, easy pasta recipe, penne pasta
