Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – the ultimate comfort food, ready in just 30 minutes! After making this countless times, I’ve discovered the secret to the perfect, creamy sauce. Jump to the recipe or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Juicy Grilled Chicken Mashed Potato Bowls Recipe Easy Homemade Dinner and Mouthwatering Garlic Parmesan Chicken and Potatoes.
Why This Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout Is Pure Comfort
- One pot, easy cleanup
- Creamy, cheesy sauce that's better than takeout
- Customizable with your favorite veggies
What You'll Need for Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Shredded cheese
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Basil
- Optional: Spinach
- Optional: Mushrooms
- Optional: Peas
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless. You can also use chicken thighs.
- Italian sausage: Mild or spicy, your choice. Remove casings if preferred.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing → See on Amazon
- Immersion Blender — Smooth, lump-free sauce in seconds → See on Amazon
How to Make Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook pasta in the same skillet until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Step 3: Add heavy cream, garlic, and seasonings to the skillet. Simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Step 5: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and your choice of veggies.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken. It will become tough. Remove it from the skillet when it's still slightly pink in the middle.
- Pro tip: For a richer sauce, use half and half or heavy cream instead of milk.
- Pro tip: Add a spoonful of flour to the skillet with the garlic to thicken the sauce even more.
Storing & Reheating Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Freezing Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 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 through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken and sausage for tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the entire dish ahead of time and reheat in the oven when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water or milk to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
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Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta
- Heavy cream
- Shredded cheese
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt
- Pepper
- Red pepper flakes
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Basil
- Spinach
- Mushrooms
- Peas
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Cook pasta in the same skillet until al dente. Drain, reserving some pasta water.
- Step 3: Add heavy cream, garlic, and seasonings to the skillet. Simmer until thickened.
- Step 4: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Add shredded cheese and stir until melted and creamy. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Step 5: Serve hot, topped with fresh parsley and your choice of veggies.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute the chicken and sausage for tofu or tempeh for a vegetarian version.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the entire dish ahead of time and reheat in the oven when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled for a larger crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a little more pasta water or milk to thin it out.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 3 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 through.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to use.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 120mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time and store in the fridge until ready to use. The entire dish can also be made ahead and reheated in the oven when ready to serve.
You may have overcooked the chicken or not added enough liquid to the sauce. To prevent this, remove the chicken from the skillet when it's still slightly pink in the middle and add reserved pasta water or milk to the sauce.
While you can cook the chicken and sausage in the air fryer, the pasta and sauce are best cooked on the stove top.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating in the oven or microwave.
Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through. This helps maintain the creamy texture of the sauce. The microwave can make the sauce dry out.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta – Better Than Takeout 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!
