Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Creamy, comforting cheesy chicken and sausage pasta is the ultimate cozy dinner. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the secret to preventing a watery sauce. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crockpot Cajun Butter Chicken and Irresistibly Creamy Smothered Chicken and Rice.
Why This Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta Is Pure Comfort
- Easy, one-pot recipe
- Creamy, comforting sauce
- Better than takeout
- Family-friendly and freezer-friendly
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.
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
- Optional: Crushed red pepper flakes
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Italian sausage: Use mild or spicy, depending on your preference.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- High-quality non-stick skillet — Prevents sticking and ensures even cooking → See on Amazon
- Immersion blender — Smooths out the sauce right in the pot → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook onion and garlic until softened. Add seasonings and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Common mistake and fix: Adding too much cream can make the sauce watery. If this happens, simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
- Pro tip: For an extra layer of flavor, brown the chicken and sausage before cooking. This adds depth to the dish.
- Pro tip: To make this recipe even creamier, stir in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water before adding the cheeses.
- Pro tip: For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and part-skim mozzarella cheese.
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 4 days. Make-ahead tip: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated as needed.
Freezing Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute the Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the entire dish ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little milk or chicken broth to thin it out.
Want to level up this recipe?
Heavy-duty pasta pot — Boils pasta perfectly and prevents overcooking → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Cheesy Chicken and Sausage Pasta
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 lb Italian sausage
- 1 lb penne pasta
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Seasonings
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes, optional
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook chicken and sausage in a large skillet until browned. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: In the same skillet, cook onion and garlic until softened. Add seasonings and cook for 1 minute.
- Step 3: Stir in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Add cooked chicken and sausage back to the skillet. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Add cooked penne pasta to the skillet and toss to combine. Stir in mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses until melted and creamy.
- Step 5: Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a spicy version, add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the sauce.
- Best substitution: Substitute the Italian sausage with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the entire dish ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If the sauce is too thick, add a little milk or chicken broth 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 (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: This dish can be made ahead of time and reheated as needed.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 720
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 45g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1300mg
- Cholesterol: 150mg
- Sat. Fat: 24g
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 entire dish ahead of time and reheat when ready to serve. The sauce may thicken upon standing, so you might need to add a little milk or chicken broth to thin it out.
Adding too much cream or not simmering the sauce long enough can cause the dish to become watery. To fix this, simmer the sauce for a few more minutes to reduce and thicken.
Yes, you can freeze individual portions of this dish for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Absolutely! This homemade version is creamier, fresher, and more affordable than takeout. Plus, you can customize it to your family's preferences.
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 and cook on low for 4-6 hours.
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!
