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Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta

This creamy chicken sausage pasta is a quick and comforting weeknight dinner made with tender pasta, savory sausage, and a rich Parmesan cream sauce. Ready in about 30 minutes, it's perfect for busy nights and family meals.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 620
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 12 oz chicken sausage, sliced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1 cup spinach (optional)
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)

Equipment

  • large pot for cooking pasta
  • large skillet for sauce and sausage
  • wooden spoon
  • colander for draining pasta
  • measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned.
  3. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Stir in Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  6. Add spinach and sun-dried tomatoes if using, and cook until spinach wilts.
  7. Toss in the cooked pasta and mix well. Add reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
  8. Serve warm with extra Parmesan on top.

Notes

Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce. Reserve pasta water to adjust consistency as needed. You can lighten the dish with half-and-half or customize it with vegetables like mushrooms or zucchini.