Amazing 35-Min Chicken Sausage Pasta

Oh my goodness, if you are anything like me, the 5 PM rush feels like running through a swamp trying to decide what to cook. That’s why I’m obsessed with creating meals that feel fancy but come together faster than I can scroll through my phone. Honestly, getting that soulful, comfort food feeling back onto the table without spending an hour cooking is my whole mission here at Carla’s Cooking. My grandmother taught me food is love, and this recipe proves it. Say hello to my absolute lifesaver: the Creamy Tuscan **chicken sausage pasta** skillet. It’s rich, it’s easy, and best of all, it cleans up in one pan. If you’re looking for one of my best easy recipes for weeknight dinners, grab your sausage, because we are making magic!

SAVE IT

Why This Creamy Tuscan Chicken Sausage Pasta Skillet Works for Busy Nights

I get it—sometimes you just need dinner done, period. This dish solves that weeknight panic because it ticks every box for a fast, family-friendly pasta night. Seriously, it’s my go-to when I need something satisfying in a huge hurry.

• It’s all made in one big skillet, which means happy scrubbing later (read: almost zero cleanup!).
• The flavor feels gourmet, even though the process is incredibly straightforward.

Quick Prep and Cook Time for Your Chicken Sausage Pasta

We’re looking at just 35 minutes total time here, folks! That’s less time than ordering from one of those expensive meal delivery companies, and you get better results. Because it’s a true one pot chicken sausage pasta, you aren’t juggling boiling water while trying to make a sauce. Everything happens right there in that one pan.

Comfort Food Pasta Recipes Made Simple

Who said comfort food has to take all Sunday afternoon? This is that creamy, cozy hug of a meal you crave, but we’re simplifying the steps. We get all that rich, Tuscan flavor from the smoked paprika and sun-dried tomatoes directly in the skillet with the sausage. It delivers big time on flavor without needing five different pots on the stove. It’s pure, easy, comfort food pasta recipes satisfaction, I promise!

Ingredients for the Best Chicken Sausage Pasta

When you’re making something this simple, you really need every ingredient to pull its weight, right? That’s why quality matters here, especially with the sausage. Please, please splurge a little bit on a good, savory chicken sausage. It really makes all the difference in the final flavor of this chicken sausage pasta!

Here is what you need to gather up:

• One pound of chicken sausage, which you’ll slice up.
• One tablespoon of olive oil for browning.
• You’ll need one small yellow onion, finely chopped.
• Three cloves of garlic—don’t skimp—minced very small.
• About a half cup of sun-dried tomatoes, drained and then chopped up a bit.
• One teaspoon of Italian seasoning.
• A half teaspoon of smoked paprika; this is key for depth!
• A quarter teaspoon of red pepper flakes, but only if you like a little kick.
• Twelve ounces of your favorite short pasta, like penne or rotini.
• Three cups of chicken broth.
• A half cup of heavy cream for that luxurious texture.
• A half cup of Parmesan cheese, grated freshly if you can manage it.
• Two whole cups of fresh spinach.
• Salt and black pepper to taste at the very end.

If you want to see how I make other quick sauces from scratch without needing bottled shortcuts, check out my garlic sauce post!

Essential Equipment for Making Skillet Chicken Sausage Pasta

Before we dive into the glorious browning and sauce-making, let’s talk tools. Because this is a skillet meal, you don’t need a dozen bowls, but the right pot makes all the difference. Having these things ready means you won’t be chasing around a missing utensil when the garlic starts smelling amazing!

You absolutely need:

• A large, sturdy skillet. I mean large—one that can easily hold the raw sausage, the veggies, the dry pasta, and three cups of liquid without feeling cramped. A 12-inch model is perfect for this recipe.
• A good sharp knife and cutting board for chopping up that onion and sausage quickly.
• A long wooden spoon or silicone spatula for stirring, especially when we add the cream so nothing sticks to the bottom.
• A measuring cup for the chicken broth so you can pour accurately once things start bubbling.

That’s it! See? No complex gear required to make a fantastic dinner. This is why I love these simple meals so much—they respect your time and your dishwasher space!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta

You are going to be amazed at how quickly this all comes together, I swear it! The beauty of this recipe is that we build all our flavor right here in this single skillet. No extra pots to wash, just smart layering of ingredients. Remember what I always say: layering flavors is how you trick people into thinking you spent way more time on dinner than you actually did!

Browning the Sausage and Sautéing Aromatics for Your Chicken Sausage Pasta

First things first, get that olive oil hot over medium-high heat. Toss in your sliced chicken sausage and let it get nicely browned—we are talking golden and maybe even a little crispy on the edges, which takes about 5 minutes. This proper browning builds the flavor foundation for the entire chicken sausage pasta dish, so don’t rush this part! Pull that sausage out and set it aside for a minute. Now, toss in your chopped onion until it softens up, maybe 3 minutes. Then, add the garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and those optional red pepper flakes. Cook that noisy, fragrant little mixture for just one minute until you can really smell the spices popping!

SAVE IT

One Pot Pasta Cooking Method for this Weeknight Chicken Sausage Pasta

This is where the magic of the one-pot method happens! Dump the dry pasta right into the skillet with all those yummy aromatics, and then pour in all three cups of chicken broth. Bring that whole thing up to a boil, then immediately drop the heat down to medium-low, cover it up, and let it simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. You have to stir every few minutes, though! If you try to double this recipe, be mindful that the pasta might stick to the bottom of the pan more easily, so keep stirring so it cooks perfectly. You want the pasta to be almost done when the liquid is mostly gone.

Finishing the Creamy Chicken Sausage Pasta Sauce

Alright, time to make it decadent! Stir in your heavy cream and that grated Parmesan cheese. You need to keep stirring constantly during this part—don’t walk away! This takes just about two minutes for the sauce to thicken up nicely around the pasta. Once it’s looking creamy, stir that reserved browned sausage back in. Finally, toss in all that fresh spinach. It looks like too much, but trust me, it wilts down instantly. Give everything one last taste for salt and pepper, and that’s it! You can find more tips on building sauces like my 15-minute peppercorn sauce on my site!

SAVE IT

Tips for Success with Your Chicken Sausage Pasta Skillet

Look, I’ve made this chicken sausage pasta recipe enough times to know exactly where things can go sideways, usually because I got distracted by the dog or the phone rang! The biggest pitfall in a one-pot pasta like this is liquid management. Pasta is hungry, and it soaks up broth way faster than you think it will.

If you notice your pasta looking dry before it’s actually tender—maybe 8 minutes into the 12-minute simmer time—don’t panic! Just splash in a half-cup of extra chicken broth or even some hot water. This helps keep the pasta cooking evenly without scorching the bottom of the skillet. You want it tender, not chewy!

Also, remember that Parmesan cheese you added to thicken the sauce? That, along with the sausage, brings a lot of saltiness to the party. My grandmother always told me to taste *everything* before adding the final seasonings. So, do the final taste test right before serving. You might find you don’t need any extra salt at all, which is great for keeping things budget friendly!

If you want to see which other simple sauces I use when I’m whipping up something quick, check out my recipe for easy 5-minute nacho cheese sauce—sometimes the simplest dishes are the best!

Variations on This Easy Chicken Sausage Pasta

I love that this recipe is such a great base, because honestly, sometimes I need to shake things up mid-week! It’s so simple to turn this Tuscan version into something totally different based on what I have lurking in the fridge. If you are feeling bold, you can ditch the Italian seasoning and paprika and toss in a teaspoon of Cajun spice mix instead. You’ll get a whole different kind of heat—it’s fantastic!

If I want to sneak in more greens, I just swap the spinach out for chopped kale. You’ll need to give the kale an extra minute or two in the sauce to let it tenderize before you finish up. You can also throw in half a cup of sliced mushrooms when you’re cooking the onions; saute them until they release their liquid and start to brown a little. If you are looking for something totally different but still super easy, you absolutely have to check out my one-pot Cajun sausage pasta next time!

Storage and Meal Prep Ideas for Chicken Sausage Pasta

One of the secret joys of making an easy skillet meal like this is knowing you’ve practically done your lunch planning for the week already! This creamy chicken sausage pasta reheats beautifully, but I have learned a couple of tricks over the years to make sure it doesn’t turn into a clumpy mess when you pull it out of the fridge.

For storage, you need an airtight container. That is non-negotiable if you want to keep it fresh! I usually scoop the leftovers into individual containers so they are perfectly portioned for lunch. That way, I don’t have to think about meal planning the next day—it’s already done.

When you go to reheat your portion, you’ll notice the sauce has probably tightened up. That heavy cream and Parmesan get very cozy when cold! This is normal. Don’t microwave it dry! You just need to splash in a little bit of warm liquid to bring it back to life. I usually use a tablespoon or two of leftover chicken broth, but milk works just as well if you don’t have broth handy. Add the liquid, microwave it in 30-second intervals stirring in between, and it will smooth right out again. It tastes just as good as it did the first night!

Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Sausage Pasta

I always seem to get tripped up by the same things whenever I make a new pasta dish, so I thought I’d tackle a few common questions I get about making this simple little chicken sausage creation. Don’t worry if your first attempt isn’t perfect; cooking is just a series of happy accidents!

Can I use ground chicken instead of chicken sausage for this recipe?

You totally can, but be warned: it won’t taste the same! Ground chicken is much leaner and won’t bring that smoky, seasoned punch that the pre-cooked sausage gives us. If you use plain ground chicken, you will need to heavily season it yourself with Italian seasoning and smoked paprika right when you brown it. It becomes a slightly different dish, leaning away from the familiar flavor of a good pasta with smoked sausage.

What is the best pasta shape for this creamy chicken sausage pasta?

I always reach for penne or rotini because those little ridges and tubes are amazing at trapping that creamy Tuscan sauce. Those shapes are perfect for a creamy chicken sausage pasta because they hold onto the sauce wonderfully. While spaghetti would be fine, it’s harder to scoop up all that delicious leftover Parmesan and spinach goodness when you use long noodles. Short, sturdy pasta wins the day here!

How can I make this a healthier chicken sausage recipe?

That is a great question, especially if you are looking for healthy chicken sausage recipes! My first tip is straight from the Notes section: substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream to instantly cut down on fat, though the sauce might be slightly less thick, which is fine. Secondly, don’t be afraid to bulk up the vegetables! Try adding finely chopped carrots when you cook the onion, or swap out half the pasta for something like zucchini noodles (zoodles) toward the end of the cooking process. It’s an easy way to get more nutrients into your quick chicken sausage dinner.

Is this recipe truly budget friendly pasta?

It definitely leans toward being a budget friendly pasta option, yes! Chicken sausage is generally quite affordable, and since this is mostly pasta and broth, the cost stays low. The most expensive part is usually the heavy cream and Parmesan, but remember, you only use a little bit of each to create such a rich flavor. Shop sales on sausage, and you’ve got a winner!

Can this turn into a 15-minute pasta dinner?

Oh, I wish! While it is fast, I wouldn’t call it a true 15-minute process because we need time for that sausage to brown patiently and for the dry pasta to cook through in the broth. You should aim for under 35 minutes total, which is incredibly fast! If you used pre-cooked noodles, maybe, but for the best result, give it the full 25 minutes of cook time so the starches release properly into the sauce. For true 15-minute cooking, maybe check out my chicken Caesar pasta salad recipe!

Serving Suggestions for Your Delicious Chicken Sausage Pasta

Now that you’ve got this absolutely gorgeous, soul-satisfying chicken sausage pasta cooked up in one pan, the last thing you want to do is ruin the moment by stressing over sides! Since this dish is already so rich with cream, cheese, and savory sausage flavour, we are keeping the accompaniments simple and bright.

My absolute favorite thing to pair with this creamy Tuscan magic is a really crisp, sharp side salad. Something simple with a light vinaigrette—maybe some mixed greens, maybe a few crunchy cucumbers. That little bit of acidity cuts right through the richness of the sauce and makes every bite feel perfectly balanced. It’s wonderful!

SAVE IT

And who can say no to garlic bread when pasta is involved? Nobody! Seriously, if you have the energy for maybe five extra minutes, whip up some garlic bread. I have a super simple recipe for buttery, garlicky slices that I love; dipping that crusty bread right into the leftover creamy sauce is the entire reason we shouldn’t feel guilty about indulging sometimes!

The truth is, once you master a recipe like this, you realize you have zero need for those pricey subscription services. Why pay someone else to mail you mediocre ingredients when you can make this flavor bomb much faster and cheaper at home? If you need some inspiration on how to serve up comfort food fast, check out the creamy Tuscan style recipes hitting the web, like the one you can find over at this great site—it just proves how good these pasta nights can feel!

Easy Creamy Tuscan Chicken Sausage Pasta Skillet

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Make this comforting, family-friendly chicken sausage pasta in one skillet for a quick weeknight dinner. It features savory chicken sausage in a rich, creamy sauce with sun-dried tomatoes and spinach.

• Author: Carla Davis
• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 25 min
• Total Time: 35 min
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Skillet Cooking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 pound chicken sausage, sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
• 12 ounces penne or rotini pasta
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the sliced chicken sausage and cook until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes. Remove the sausage and set it aside.
2. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes (if using). Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
3. Add the dry pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
4. Stir in the heavy cream and Parmesan cheese. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sauce thickens slightly, about 2 minutes.
5. Return the cooked chicken sausage to the skillet. Stir in the fresh spinach until it wilts, about 1 minute.
6. Taste the pasta and season with salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately. This recipe is a great alternative to using meal delivery companies for a fast dinner.

Notes

• For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream.
• You can use any short pasta shape you prefer.
• If you are interested in meal planning, this recipe is excellent for batch cooking for lunches.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 serving
• Calories: 650
• Sugar: 5
• Sodium: 950
• Fat: 35
• Saturated Fat: 15
• Unsaturated Fat: 20
• Trans Fat: 0
• Carbohydrates: 50
• Fiber: 4
• Protein: 35
• Cholesterol: 90