Chicken Sausage Pasta Recipe

This hearty savory Chicken Sausage Pasta is made with sliced Italian chicken sausage, penne, and bell peppers, and ready in 30 minutes. Searing the sausage slices until they get golden caramelized edges builds incredible depth in the simple tomato sauce. I rely on this fast dinner during busy weeknights.

Why This Classic Works

I used to just throw the sausage into the simmering sauce, missing out on tons of flavor. Searing the sliced chicken sausage first completely changes the final taste of the dish.

Leaving those browned bits on the bottom of the pan gives the simple tomato base a much richer finish. It is a small step that turns a basic weeknight meal into something special.

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Chicken Sausage Pasta Ingredients

• 1 lb penne pasta
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 12 oz fully cooked chicken sausage, sliced
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 cups fresh baby spinach
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

How To Make Chicken Sausage Pasta

1. Boil the pasta: Cook the penne in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions, then drain.
2. Sear the sausage: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the sliced sausage for 4-5 minutes until browned.
3. Sauté the vegetables: Add the diced onion and sliced bell pepper to the skillet, cooking for 5 minutes until softened, then stir in the garlic for 1 minute.
4. Simmer the sauce: Pour in the crushed tomatoes and chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the pan, and simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Combine and finish: Stir the fresh spinach into the sauce until wilted, then fold in the cooked pasta and sprinkle with parmesan cheese.

Recipe Tips

• Reserve pasta water: Keep a splash of starchy cooking water to help the tomato sauce cling better to the noodles.
• Use pre-cooked sausage: This saves time and ensures perfectly firm, sliceable rounds that brown beautifully in the pan.
• Deglaze the pan: Do not skip scraping the bottom of the skillet when adding the broth, as those browned bits hold immense flavor.

What To Serve With Chicken Sausage Pasta

Serve this pasta with a crisp green salad tossed in a sharp vinaigrette to cut through the rich tomato sauce. A slice of warm garlic bread is also great for wiping the bowl clean.

How To Store

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also freeze portions in freezer-safe bags for up to 3 months, thawing overnight before reheating on the stove.

FAQs

Can I use raw chicken sausage?

Yes, just remove it from the casings and crumble it into the pan until fully cooked before adding vegetables.

What kind of pasta works best?

Short, tubular pastas like penne, ziti, or rigatoni are ideal because they catch the chunky sauce.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Simply omit the parmesan cheese or substitute it with a plant-based alternative.

Nutrition

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Total Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g
• Cholesterol: 65mg
• Sodium: 780mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 52g
• Protein: 22g

Try More Recipes:

• Creamy Buffalo Chicken Pasta Recipe
• Buffalo Chicken Pasta Bake Recipe
• Buffalo Chicken Dip Pasta Recipe