Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
After making this Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta dozens of times, I’ve discovered the trick to a perfectly creamy, golden sauce. This hearty, better-than-takeout pasta is perfect for cozy nights in. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Irresistibly Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice Recipe Tonight and Mozzarella Garlic Butter Chicken Bowties in Cheesy Cream.
Why This Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Golden, crispy edges
- Rich, melty cheese sauce
- Better than takeout taste
- Easy, one-pot cooking
What You'll Need for Cozy 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.
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
- Heavy cream
- Shredded cheese (like mozzarella or cheddar)
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
- Optional: Grated Parmesan cheese
đź“ť Ingredient Notes
- Chicken breasts: You can also use chicken thighs.
- Italian sausage: Mild or spicy, your choice.
đź›’ Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect searing. → See on Amazon
- Box Grater — Easy shredding for quick meal prep. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Cook the chicken and sausage: Season chicken and sausage with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add pasta and cook: Add uncooked pasta to the skillet, along with chicken broth. Cook until pasta is al dente and liquid has reduced.
- Make the cheese sauce: Stir in heavy cream, shredded cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet. Toss to combine. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional cheese if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the pasta in the skillet. It will continue to cook in the cheese sauce. If it's too soft, add a bit more chicken broth to thin the sauce.
- Pro tip: For an even creamier sauce, use evaporated milk instead of chicken broth when cooking the pasta.
- Pro tip: To make this dish spicy, use spicy Italian sausage and add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cheese sauce.
Storing & Reheating Cozy 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: You can prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days before finishing the dish.
Freezing Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can use a combination of milk and flour to make a roux-based cheese sauce.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated, but the pasta may absorb some of the liquid and become firmer. Add a bit more chicken broth when reheating if needed.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4-6. To double, simply double all ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth or milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Read Meat Thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Italian sausage
- Pasta (like penne or rigatoni)
- Heavy cream
- Shredded cheese (like mozzarella or cheddar)
Seasonings
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley
- Crushed red pepper flakes
- Grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook the chicken and sausage: Season chicken and sausage with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook in a large skillet until browned and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté onions and garlic: In the same skillet, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant.
- Add pasta and cook: Add uncooked pasta to the skillet, along with chicken broth. Cook until pasta is al dente and liquid has reduced.
- Make the cheese sauce: Stir in heavy cream, shredded cheese, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook until cheese is melted and sauce is creamy.
- Combine and serve: Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet. Toss to combine. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and additional cheese if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a healthier version, use whole wheat pasta and substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt.
- Best substitution: If you don't have heavy cream, you can use a combination of milk and flour to make a roux-based cheese sauce.
- Make-ahead: This dish can be made ahead and reheated, but the pasta may absorb some of the liquid and become firmer. Add a bit more chicken broth when reheating if needed.
- Scaling: This recipe serves 4-6. To double, simply double all ingredients.
- Troubleshooting: If your sauce is too thick, add a bit more chicken broth or milk to thin it out. If it's too thin, let it simmer for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or 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. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days before finishing the dish.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 650
- Protein: 35g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbs: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 140mg
- Sat. Fat: 18g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sausage ahead of time. Store in the fridge for up to 2 days before finishing the dish. You can also make the entire dish ahead, but the pasta may absorb some of the liquid and become firmer. Add a bit more chicken broth when reheating if needed.
This is usually due to adding cold dairy to hot pasta. Make sure your pasta is not too hot before adding the cheese and cream. You can also temper the dairy by adding a bit of the hot pasta water to it before adding it to the skillet.
Yes, you can use frozen chicken and sausage. Make sure to cook them until they're no longer frozen before adding the other ingredients. You may need to add a bit more chicken broth to the skillet to prevent the pasta from sticking.
Yes, you can make this dish in the slow cooker. Cook the chicken and sausage in a skillet first, then combine all ingredients in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours.
The best way to reheat this dish is in the oven. Preheat to 350°F and reheat for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. Stir halfway through to ensure even heating. You can also reheat in the microwave, but the pasta may become mushy.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy 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!
