Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy, not watery, sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Irresistibly Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice and Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream.
Why This Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Irresistible creamy cheese sauce
- Golden, crispy sausage pieces
- Tender, flavorful chicken
- Better than takeout, ready in 20 minutes
What You'll Need for Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breast
- italian sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- parmesan cheese
- mozzarella cheese
- garlic
- onion
- italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
- Optional: fresh parsley
- Optional: grated parmesan cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- italian sausage: Remove casings for easier cooking.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Easily grate cheese for smooth sauce. → See on Amazon
How to Make Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Step 1: Cook sausage in skillet until crispy. Remove, set aside.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in same skillet until cooked through. Remove, set aside.
- Step 3: Sauté onion, garlic in skillet. Add pasta water, cream, cheese. Stir until creamy.
- Step 4: Add chicken, sausage back to skillet. Toss with pasta. Serve hot.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken to prevent it from drying out.
- : Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- : For a spicy kick, add red pepper flakes to the sauce.
Storing & Reheating Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Prepare the sauce ahead, then combine with cooked pasta and chicken/sausage before serving.
Freezing Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and sausage ahead, then reheat and combine with cooked pasta and sauce before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked, tender chicken every time. → Check price on Amazon
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breast
- italian sausage
- pasta
- heavy cream
- parmesan cheese
- mozzarella cheese
Seasonings
- garlic
- onion
- italian seasoning
- salt
- pepper
- red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- fresh parsley
- grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook sausage in skillet until crispy. Remove, set aside.
- Step 2: Cook chicken in same skillet until cooked through. Remove, set aside.
- Step 3: Sauté onion, garlic in skillet. Add pasta water, cream, cheese. Stir until creamy.
- Step 4: Add chicken, sausage back to skillet. Toss with pasta. Serve hot.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken breasts with boneless, skinless chicken thighs for even more tender results.
- Make-ahead: Cook chicken and sausage ahead, then reheat and combine with cooked pasta and sauce before serving.
- Scaling: Easily double or triple the recipe for larger crowds.
- Troubleshooting: If sauce is too thick, thin it out with a little more pasta water or milk.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Make ahead: Prepare the sauce ahead, then combine with cooked pasta and chicken/sausage before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 670
- Protein: 42g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sat. Fat: 20g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta FAQs
Yes, prepare the sauce ahead and combine with cooked pasta and chicken/sausage before serving.
Overcooking the chicken can cause it to dry out. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it's cooked to 165°F (74°C).
Yes, freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
While you can cook the chicken and sausage in the air fryer, the pasta and sauce are best cooked on the stovetop.
Half-and-half or a mixture of milk and flour can be used as a substitute for heavy cream.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Creamy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
